Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Senator Rodante Marcoleta during the 4th State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 28, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA— The Palace on Wednesday weighed in on prevailing discourse among Iglesia ni Cristo members on why Sen. Rodante Marcoleta may be charged while Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, who was implicated in the flood control scandal last year, is still wandering free.Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the allegation against Marcoleta is clearer, simpler, and that the evidence is already complete.The potential charges stem from money that Marcoleta did not disclose in the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures he submitted to the Commission on Elections. &quot;Iyong patungkol po kasi kay Senator Marcoleta hindi naman po kasi niya maikakaila na sa kaniya po nanggaling lahat ang mga admissions, iyong pagtanggap niya ng P75 million. Siya ang gumamit, siya ang nakinabang sa bigay ng tatlo niyang mga kaibigan,&quot; she said.(In Senator Marcoleta&#x27;s case, he cannot deny that he admitted that he accepted P75 million. He used is. He benefited from the money from three of his friends.)Castro said that Marcoleta has raised the argument that he received the money before the campaign period so they were not campaign funds.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/1/ombudsman-marcoleta-not-singled-out-amid-potential-plunder-charge-1544">Ombudsman: Marcoleta not ‘singled out’ amid potential plunder charge </a></div>Castro was quick to clarify that she is not speaking for the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent constitutional body.The Office of the Ombudsman itself has already earlier clarified why Marcoleta will be charged with plunder even if the money is not from public funds.&quot;Hindi na kailangan pang ang lumalim ang pag-iimbestiga sa kaso ni Senator Marcoleta dahil nandiyan na, nalatag na, siya mismo nagbigay ng mga ebidensiya laban sa kaniya,&quot; Castro said.She said the Ombudsman has also said it is still gathering evidence against Romualdez, who is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s cousin and who resigned as House speaker after being implicated in the flood-controi mess.Romualdez has denied the allegations.&quot;At kung sinasabi nila na nagsalita na si Zaldy Co — bilang abogado kahit magsalita nang ilang beses si Zaldy Co pero wala sa Pilipinas hindi niya pinatototohanan, wala siyang affidavit, hindi siya natatanong. Hindi po tatayo sa korte ang ganitong klaseng pagsasalita,&quot; she added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/1/palace-warns-iglesia-leaders-vs-destabilizers-1534">Palace warns Iglesia leaders vs &#x27;destabilizers&#x27; </a></div>Members of Iglesia ni Cristo have launched an unannounced rally on EDSA and called for transparency and accountability. They also asked why Marcoleta will face charges when those involved in flood-control projects have not been charged yet.The Palace has repeatedly said that Marcos wanted everyone involved in the flood-control scandal to be accountable to law.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro was quick to clarify that she is not speaking for the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent constitutional body.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro was quick to clarify that she is not speaking for the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent constitutional body.

Why is Marcoleta facing charges before Romualdez? Palace weighs in

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Why is Marcoleta facing charges before Romualdez? Palace weighs in

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 01, 2026 04:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Palace

Office of the Ombudsman

Rodante Marcoleta

Iglesia ni Cristo

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