Rodante Marcoleta

Senator Rodante Marcoleta is currently facing criminal charges for plunder, indirect bribery, and violations of Presidential Decree No. 46 (prohibiting officials from receiving gifts) regarding P75 million in campaign contributions he received in January 2025. The Ombudsman alleges that Marcoleta, then a SAGIP party-list representative, failed to declare these donations in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) or his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). The contributions were provided by former Rep. Michael Defensor (P30 million), Joseph Espiritu (P25 million), and Aristotle Viray (P20 million). In March 2026, the Commission on Elections cleared Marcoleta of election offenses, ruling the donations were received before the official campaign period. However, the Ombudsman pursued the case under anti-graft laws, arguing the amount exceeded the P50 million plunder threshold. Marcoleta has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Sandiganbayan in July 2026. He characterizes the prosecution as politically motivated to prevent his participation in impeachment proceedings.