Jamaine Punzalan

Senator Rodante Marcoleta leaves the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City amid heavy security on July 15, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SEN RODANTE MARCOLETA- SANDIGANBAYAN

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178668072990620260715-senator-rodante-marcoleta-sandiganbayan-JC5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senator Rodante Marcoleta leaves the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City amid heavy security on July 15, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Third Division will begin hearing the petition for bail of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, former lawmaker Mike Defensor, and two other businessmen on Sept. 3 in their plunder case over the alleged nondisclosure of P75 million in campaign donations.</p><p>The court set the bail proceedings after terminating their pretrial, where the prosecution and defense marked pieces of evidence, stipulated on facts, and listed witnesses to be presented in court. </p><p>The court’s Third Division said the prosecution would be given the opportunity to establish that the evidence of guilt against the accused is strong, as required in bail proceedings for offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua.</p><p>Associate Justice Karl Miranda said the prosecution should also establish the alleged conspiracy among the accused, their probability of flight, and whether releasing them on bail would pose an undue risk of committing another crime.</p><p>The court said the prosecution would have to prove through evidence the elements of the offenses charged, including the allegation that Marcoleta took advantage of his position or influence as a public official to unjustly enrich himself to the detriment of the government.</p><p>“The determination of the court will rely on whether the prosecution is able to establish strong evidence of guilt,” Miranda said.</p><p>The prosecution earlier identified 12 witnesses in its pretrial brief but told the court it will only present eight during the summary bail proceedings.</p><p>The court ordered the prosecution to submit by Aug. 17 its final list of witnesses and the schedule for their presentation.</p><p>Meanwhile, the main trial of the plunder case is scheduled to begin on Oct. 8.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0XLRqxqkuQQsHem8TymLCEntAfBxeogN8wEvQZFkAhzqPQvGRKNDvjJmwznFEnEyPl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="450" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><strong>STIPULATIONS</strong></div><p>During the pretrial, Marcoleta’s lawyer Patrick Velez said the defense was willing to stipulate that Viray donated P20 million to Marcoleta, as stated in a deed of donation notarized on Nov. 14, 2025.</p><p>However, the prosecution declined to stipulate to several other matters, including the alleged years of friendship between Marcoleta and Defensor, and Marcoleta’s filing of his certificate of candidacy on Oct. 8, 2025.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/7/marcoleta-defensor-mum-on-recantation-of-co-s-ex-aides-1716">Marcoleta, Defensor mum on recantation of Co’s ex-aides</a></div><div><strong>OTHER PENDING MOTIONS</strong></div><p>The court said it also received Marcoleta’s motion to recall the warrant of arrest.</p><p>It is set to hear Marcoleta’s motion to dismiss the case and his request to withhold the issuance of a preventive suspension order on Aug. 18.</p><p>On July 22, Marcoleta was ordered to explain why he should not be preventively suspended as senator. He filed his manifestation and motion to withhold the preventive suspension order and to dismiss the case on Aug. 3.</p><div><strong>DEFENSOR VS BJMP</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GgBYt2cvs9Y?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong>After the pretrial, tensions rose between Defensor and several Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel who allegedly prevented him from speaking with the media.</div><p>In a video taken as Defensor exited the courtroom, the former lawmaker questioned a BJMP personnel who was heard telling him “bawal po” while he was speaking with reporters.</p><p>Defensor was then heard saying, “Ghost month na, yung ghost project wala pa rin.”</p><p>He earlier said it was ironic that they were jailed ahead of those allegedly involved in the flood control anomalies, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.</p><p>Defensor and his co-accused were later escorted to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/22/marcoleta-enters-not-guilty-plea-to-plunder-gift-receipt-cases-0905">Marcoleta enters not guilty plea to plunder, gift receipt cases</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/5/sara-duterte-visits-marcoleta-estrada-0946">Sara Duterte visits Marcoleta, Estrada</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/29/palace-rejects-cayetano-s-political-prisoners-tag-on-estrada-marcoleta-1537">Palace rejects Cayetano’s ‘political prisoners’ tag on Estrada, Marcoleta </a></div>

<p>The Sandiganbayan Third Division will begin hearing the petition for bail of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, former lawmaker Mike Defensor, and two other businessmen on Sept. 3 in their plunder case over the alleged nondisclosure of P75 million in campaign donations.</p>

The Sandiganbayan Third Division will begin hearing the petition for bail of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, former lawmaker Mike Defensor, and two other businessmen on Sept. 3 in their plunder case over the alleged nondisclosure of P75 million in campaign donations.

Bail hearings for Marcoleta plunder case to start on Sept. 3

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Bail hearings for Marcoleta plunder case to start on Sept. 3

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 14, 2026 12:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Marcoleta

Defensor

plunder

SALN

SOCE

campaign donations

Sandiganbayan

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.