Dennis Gasgonia

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Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178291083659120260617-special-senate-session-commission-appoinment-marcoleta-MT11.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Senator Rodante Marcoleta at a special session at the Senate of the Philippines on June 17, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/>Senator Rodante Marcoleta at a special session at the Senate of the Philippines on June 17, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is confident the anti-graft court will dismiss the plunder charge against him if the Office of the Ombudsman makes good on its word to pursue it.The Ombudsman previously said the case stems from Marcoleta’s failure to disclose receipt of P75 million in campaign contributions in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) and Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).“This is a fabricated charge. It is not even within the meaning and parameters of our plunder law. Our plunder law is about amassing ill-gotten wealth. It&#x27;s a serious crime. It is not about, you know, getting election financial support from friends,” Marcoleta said in an interview on state-owned Russia Today on Wednesday, July 1.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/1/ombudsman-marcoleta-not-singled-out-amid-potential-plunder-charge-1544">Ombudsman firm on filing plunder rap vs. Marcoleta</a></div>“That is why I am quite sure that this particular charge, if they will pursue it, will be junked by the court in due time,” he added.While plunder is commonly understood to mean misappropriation and malversation of public funds, Republic Act No. 7080, which defines plunder, includes assets from &quot;receiving, directly or indirectly, any commission, gift, share, percentage, kickbacks or any other form of pecuniary benefit from any person and/or entity in connection with any government contract or project or by reason of the office or position of the public officer concerned&quot; in its definition of &quot;ill-gotten wealth.&quot;Marcoleta pointed out that he received the donations before the election period for the 2025 polls started, which was why he did not declare these.The amounts came from former Anakalusugan Party-List Rep.  Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray.“My donors even paid the donors&#x27; tax. And these are all legal. And these were all reported,” Marcoleta said.“They are private funds and they have nothing to do with ill-gotten wealth.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/30/ombudsman-marcoleta-himself-gave-evidence-for-plunder-raps-1555">Ombudsman: Marcoleta himself gave evidence for plunder raps</a></div>Marcoleta said he is being targeted because he is serious in investigating the flood control scandal, and to prevent him from participating in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.During the second day of the Iglesia ni Cristo protest rally in EDSA, the senator told his supporters that he is prepared to go to jail.&quot;Nakahanda po akong magpakulong. Kung kinakailangang maaresto po ako wala pong problema. Kung ito po ang kabayarang hinihingi para ipagtanggol ko ang katarungan at ang pambansang kagalingan at ang interes ng mamayang Pilipino,&quot; Marcoleta said.Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano argued that several acts can constitute plunder such as receiving a commission, gift, or kickback.He also mentioned that public officials cannot accept huge amounts unless they will run for public office.In Marcoleta’s case, however, he did not declare the amount he received.Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos attended on Wednesday the Iglesia ni Cristo rally supporting Marcoleta.She encouraged the public to join the rally, which began as a surprise protest on Tuesday to support Marcoleta. Marcos also claimed that Marcoleta is capable of defending himself legally.&quot;Alam ko naman, kayang-kaya niyang ipagtanggol ang sarili sa mga kabuktutan, kabalbalan, kalokohan na pinataw sa kanya,&quot; she said. -- with a report from Darylle Sarmiento, ABS-CBN News

Senator Rodante Marcoleta is confident the court will dismiss the plunder charge against him if the Office of the Ombudsman makes good on its word to pursue it.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta is confident the court will dismiss the plunder charge against him if the Office of the Ombudsman makes good on its word to pursue it.

Marcoleta confident plunder raps against him will be junked

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Marcoleta confident plunder raps against him will be junked

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 01, 2026 07:31 PM PHT

|

Updated July 01, 2026 11:08 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodante Marcoleta

Plunder

Ombudsman

P75 million

Mike defensor

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