Perjury charge filed vs Sen Marcoleta before Ombudsman
A complaint for perjury has been filed against Sen. Rodante D. Marcoleta before the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday, Dec. 5, on the P112 million campaign funds he reportedly received but did not declare in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
Danilo A. Arao of Kontra Daya and members of Advocates of Public Interest Law represented by lawyers Alexander L. Lacson and Dino S. De Leon filed the complaint
The complaint was based on Marcoleta’s revelation that he received P112 million campaign funds for the May 12, 2025 senatorial elections. However, he admitted that he did not disclose them in his SOCE because his donors asked him not to identify them.
The complaint stated: "By his own admission, respondent (Marcoleta) publicly acknowledged receiving campaign contributions for the May 12, 2025 senatorial elections, but deliberately declared zero contributions in his sworn SOCE. These acts constitute perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code.”
The complainants said that Marcoleta cannot feign ignorance of the law because of his profession, and stressed that "his own public statements during the Net25 program provide direct and unequivocal evidence that the elements of perjury are present and that criminal proceedings are warranted."
They also said: "Respondent was fully aware of the materiality of these disclosures. As a lawyer and long-time public official, he understood that contributions and donor identities are facts that must be truthfully stated under oath. His professional background foreclosed any claim of confusion or inadvertence."
Senator Marcoleta could not be contacted for comment as of posting time.