MARCOLETA PLUNDER CASE MAY BE RESOLVED IN LESS THAN A YEAR

MANILA, Philippines — The plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta may be resolved in less than a year, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, as prosecutors have completed presenting their witnesses before the Sandiganbayan.

State prosecutors formally rested their case on October 8, following the presentation of evidence in connection with the senator’s alleged receipt of ₱75 million in campaign donations ahead of the 2025 senatorial elections. The prosecution’s witness presentation concluded on the first day of the trial proper.

The case centers on allegations that Marcoleta failed to declare the donations in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) and Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). The charges also name former Quezon City representative Michael “Mike” Defensor and businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray.

According to the Philippine News Agency, the Ombudsman filed the plunder case on July 3 over the alleged undeclared campaign contributions. The prosecution alleges that the money was received in three separate transactions: ₱30 million from Defensor, ₱25 million from Espiritu, and ₱20 million from Viray.

Marcoleta has denied wrongdoing, maintaining that the money came from private individuals who supported his senatorial bid. He has argued that the donations were received before the official campaign period.

The case moved forward after the prosecution and defense agreed to stipulate that the deeds of donation were authentic and duly executed, following arguments over whether two additional witnesses should testify. Prosecutors said they had wanted to examine alleged irregularities in the notarization of the documents.

The prosecution was scheduled to submit its formal offer of evidence on October 15, while the defense was expected to begin presenting its evidence when hearings resumed on October 19.

The timeline for a final resolution remains dependent on the court proceedings, including the defense’s presentation and the Sandiganbayan’s assessment of the evidence. A possible resolution within a year is an expectation, not a confirmed deadline.

The case remains pending, and the allegations against Marcoleta and his co-accused have yet to be resolved by the court.