MANILA — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta alleged that the plunder charges set to be filed against him this week are politically motivated and intended to derail his investigations into alleged anomalies in flood control projects and prevent him from taking part in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Marcoleta made the statement after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that plunder charges would be filed before the Sandiganbayan in connection with an alleged undeclared P75 million in campaign contributions during the 2025 elections.
Rejecting the allegations, Marcoleta insisted he had committed no wrongdoing and claimed the case was intended to silence him.
“Ang kasalanan ko lamang po ay yung paglingkuran kayo, kung kasalanan pong matatawag yan. Na humarap sa kanila ng buong tapang para sa ganon ay malaman ninyo ang totoo,” Marcoleta said.
He said his arrest would effectively halt his ongoing inquiries into alleged irregularities involving flood control projects.
“Ngunit kapag ako’y kanilang inaresto, hindi na po matutuloy yan. Akala po nila ay maililibing ito sa limot,” he said.
According to Ombudsman prosecutors, Marcoleta publicly acknowledged receiving P75 million in campaign donations, but the amount was allegedly omitted from his 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
Prosecutors also alleged that the donor’s tax for the amount was paid only in December 2025, arguing that the delayed payment indicated an attempt to conceal the transaction.
Marcoleta also linked the impending charges to the Senate’s impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, which are scheduled to begin next week.
“Ang isa pa pong inaasahan nila ay hindi na po ako makakasali doon sa impeachment proceedings na nakatakda pong magsimula sa susunod na linggo,” he said. “Samakatuwid, dalawang ibon sa isang putok, mga kababayan.”
He maintained that he had anticipated the filing of the charges and vowed to continue serving the public despite the legal case.
“Gaya po nang nauna ko nang ipinahayag sa inyo, alam kong gagawin nila ito. Alam kong aarestuhin nila ako. Alam kong ikukulong nila ako. Ngunit hindi po dahilan yan para tumigil ako sa paglilingkod sa inyo,” he added.
Marcoleta likewise accused Remulla of orchestrating the planned charges, citing a previous exchange between them during a Senate hearing.
Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan has issued a precautionary hold departure order against Marcoleta in connection with the alleged P75 million campaign donation./PN
