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Advocates Philippines
Ombudsman To File Plunder Case Against Marcoleta
Photo credit: Senate PH
The Office of the Ombudsman is set to file a plunder case this week against Senator Rodante Marcoleta over his alleged receipt of P75 million in campaign donations during the 2025 elections, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Monday.
The complaint will also name former congressman Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray, who investigators identified as the alleged donors.
The case stems from the Ombudsman's investigation into three separate donations allegedly received by Marcoleta in January 2025 while he was still serving as a member of the House of Representatives. Investigators said Defensor allegedly gave P30 million, Espiritu P25 million, and Viray P20 million, bringing the total amount to P75 million.
Remulla said the case is already under resolution and is expected to be formally filed within the week. He stressed that the decision to pursue charges is based on the evidence gathered during the investigation and not on political considerations.
Earlier, the Ombudsman's Field Investigation Bureau recommended filing charges for plunder, indirect bribery, and violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts. However, Remulla did not confirm whether the indirect bribery charge would also be included when the complaint is filed.
Investigators argued that the amount allegedly accepted by Marcoleta exceeded the P50-million threshold under the Anti-Plunder Law and could constitute ill-gotten wealth.
The investigation originated from a Commission on Elections (Comelec) inquiry into Marcoleta's alleged failure to disclose the donations in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE). Although the Comelec dismissed its own investigation, the Ombudsman maintained that the alleged transactions may still give rise to criminal liability under existing anti-corruption laws.
In May, the Sandiganbayan granted the Ombudsman's request for a precautionary hold departure order against Marcoleta, Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray while the preliminary investigation was ongoing, preventing them from leaving the country without court approval.
Marcoleta has denied any wrongdoing and questioned the allegations against him. Defensor has likewise argued that the money involved consisted of private donations rather than government funds and disputed the applicability of a plunder charge.
The complaint will also name former congressman Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray, who investigators identified as the alleged donors.
The case stems from the Ombudsman's investigation into three separate donations allegedly received by Marcoleta in January 2025 while he was still serving as a member of the House of Representatives. Investigators said Defensor allegedly gave P30 million, Espiritu P25 million, and Viray P20 million, bringing the total amount to P75 million.
Remulla said the case is already under resolution and is expected to be formally filed within the week. He stressed that the decision to pursue charges is based on the evidence gathered during the investigation and not on political considerations.
Earlier, the Ombudsman's Field Investigation Bureau recommended filing charges for plunder, indirect bribery, and violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts. However, Remulla did not confirm whether the indirect bribery charge would also be included when the complaint is filed.
Investigators argued that the amount allegedly accepted by Marcoleta exceeded the P50-million threshold under the Anti-Plunder Law and could constitute ill-gotten wealth.
The investigation originated from a Commission on Elections (Comelec) inquiry into Marcoleta's alleged failure to disclose the donations in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE). Although the Comelec dismissed its own investigation, the Ombudsman maintained that the alleged transactions may still give rise to criminal liability under existing anti-corruption laws.
In May, the Sandiganbayan granted the Ombudsman's request for a precautionary hold departure order against Marcoleta, Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray while the preliminary investigation was ongoing, preventing them from leaving the country without court approval.
Marcoleta has denied any wrongdoing and questioned the allegations against him. Defensor has likewise argued that the money involved consisted of private donations rather than government funds and disputed the applicability of a plunder charge.
Jun 29, 2026
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