MARCOLETA PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO PLUNDER, GRAFT-RELATED CHARGE

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges of plunder and violation of Presidential Decree No. 46 during his arraignment before the Sandiganbayan Third Division.

The arraignment pushed through after the anti-graft court granted the request of Marcoleta's legal team to withdraw its earlier motion to quash the plunder charge. Wearing the standard yellow Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) detainee uniform, Marcoleta personally entered his plea before the court.

His co-accused, Joseph Espiritu, likewise pleaded not guilty to the charge of violating Presidential Decree No. 46, a law that prohibits public officials and private individuals from giving or receiving gifts in connection with official duties.

The plunder case stems from allegations that Marcoleta and his co-accused participated in the alleged misuse of public funds and unlawfully benefited from government transactions. Prosecutors maintain that the evidence supports the charges, while the defense has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Following the arraignment, the Sandiganbayan is expected to proceed with the pre-trial phase, during which both parties will identify witnesses, mark documentary evidence, and determine the issues to be resolved before the full trial begins. Marcoleta remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt by the court.