MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday clarified that no arrest warrant has been issued against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, dismissing speculation about his possible arrest and stressing that police authorities have not received any court order directing them to take action against the lawmaker.
The clarification came after Marcoleta publicly disclosed that he had received information suggesting he could soon be arrested in connection with pending plunder and indirect bribery complaints involving alleged undisclosed campaign contributions.
Speaking during a briefing at Camp Crame, PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Allen Rae Co said police records show no warrant or official directive concerning the senator.
“As of now, the PNP has not received any official communication regarding the said warrant,” Co told reporters.
He emphasized that the PNP would only act upon receipt of a valid court order from a competent authority.
“Once we receive a warrant, just like any other warrant from a competent authority, we will execute and we will implement,” he added. “So far po, wala pa.”
Marcoleta earlier said he had been informed that an arrest warrant could soon be issued against him over allegations tied to the reported non-disclosure of campaign donations from former Quezon City representative Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray.
The senator has denied the allegations and previously declared that he would peacefully submit to authorities if an arrest warrant is issued.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. likewise underscored that law enforcement authorities do not act on rumors and would only move based on lawful orders.
“The Philippine National Police has not issued any special operational directive concerning Senator Marcoleta, and we do not act on rumors or unverified information,” Nartatez said in a separate statement.
Nartatez reiterated that any police action involving the senator—or any individual—would be carried out strictly within the bounds of the law and with full respect for constitutional rights.
“The Philippine National Police remains a professional and apolitical organization, and all our actions are based on legal orders of competent courts, on the rule of law and on the maintenance of peace and order,” he added.
As of Monday, neither the PNP nor the Department of the Interior and Local Government had confirmed the existence of any court-issued arrest warrant against Marcoleta./PN
