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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman to file plunder case vs Marcoleta this week

Ombudsman to file plunder case vs Marcoleta this week

Mike Defensor, 2 others face the same case

Published Jun 29, 2026 04:04 pm
(RODANTE MARCOLETA FACEBOOK PAGE/OMBUDSMAN FACEBOOK PAGE)
(RODANTE MARCOLETA FACEBOOK PAGE/OMBUDSMAN FACEBOOK PAGE)
A plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta will be filed before the Sandiganbayan this week, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said on Monday, June 29, adding that the anti-graft office is also moving forward with cases involving several other senators.
“Si Senator Marcoleta. Definitely for resolution na, we’re about to file it already,” he said when asked which senator’s case was ready for filing.
Remulla said the case to be filed against Marcoleta is for plunder.
“Pagsasampa na ng kaso ‘yun sa Sandigan. Plunder (That case will already be filed before the Sandiganbayan. Plunder).”
He added that Marcoleta’s alleged co-respondents would also be included in the case, which includes former lawmaker Michael “Mike” Defensor.
“Kasama ‘yan, kasama sila. Same form atsaka jurisdiction (They are included. They are part of it. Same form and jurisdiction)
The Ombudsman also disclosed that at least one other case involving a senator is expected to proceed to preliminary investigation this week, while another is nearing filing.
“At least one, isa for PI. Baka dalawa. Isang Sandigan, isang PI (At least one, one for preliminary investigation. Maybe two. One for the Sandiganbayan, one for preliminary investigation),” he said.
On May 26, the Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Marcoleta, Defensor, Aristotle Baluyut Viray, and Joseph Varias Espiritu after the Office of the Ombudsman sought to bar them from leaving the country while plunder and related complaints were under investigation.
The Ombudsman told the anti-graft court that investigators found basis to allege that Marcoleta received P75 million in gifts or donations from three individuals in January 2025 while he was still a congressman.
The anti-graft body said the amount was “manifestly excessive,” noting that a lawmaker earning about P299,000 a month at the time would have needed roughly 20 years to earn the same amount.

Related Tags

Rodante Marcoleta plunder case Sandiganbayan Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla government Senate legal proceedings
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