Senator Rodante Marcoleta faces plunder charges over campaign funds

Senator Rodante Marcoleta is facing a plunder indictment before the Sandiganbayan involving allegations of receiving PHP 75 million in contributions for his 2025 Senate bid. During a recent bail hearing, the Office of the Ombudsman presented testimony alleging that Marcoleta personally solicited donations from businessman Aristotle Viray.

Investigators have highlighted significant discrepancies in the financial paper trail. Evidence suggests a temporal gap where donations were reportedly made in January 2025, but corresponding taxes were not paid until December 2025. Furthermore, testimonies indicate that taxes for co-accused individuals were paid by an employee of Marcoleta, and that various deeds of donation were notarized by the same notary public in Pasig on the same day.

Regarding the potential impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, Marcoleta stated he will not seek a temporary release or furlough from the anti-graft court to vote on whether to revise the 16-vote conviction threshold. He maintained that the current threshold is a constitutional requirement that should not be changed.