The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to file a criminal Information for plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Rodante Marcoleta and Mike Defensor after Ombudsman Boying Remulla announced that the case is already up for filing this week.
The case stems from the Ombudsman’s investigation into alleged undisclosed campaign contributions and related offenses. Once the criminal Information is filed, the Sandiganbayan will evaluate the evidence to determine whether judicial probable cause exists. If the anti-graft court finds sufficient basis, it may issue warrants of arrest against the respondents.
Earlier, the Ombudsman also sought a Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) against Marcoleta, Defensor and other respondents while the investigation was ongoing. A PHDO prevents respondents from leaving the country but is separate from and does not constitute an arrest warrant.
In a video statement released after Remulla announced that the case was “up for filing,” Marcoleta denied any wrongdoing and maintained that the funds cited in the investigation were legitimate donations from friends and supporters. He said he would answer the allegations through the proper legal process but also claimed the planned filing was politically motivated.
Marcoleta said he expected authorities to arrest him and suggested the case was intended to prevent him from participating in the upcoming impeachment proceedings, an allegation he made without publicly presenting supporting evidence. Despite this, he said he would continue serving the public regardless of the outcome.
Defensor also rejected the impending charges, arguing that the allegations have no basis because the funds cited by the Ombudsman consisted of private campaign donations rather than public funds. He maintained that there was “no illegal act, no corrupt transaction, no favor sought, and absolutely no conspiracy to commit any crime.” Defensor argued that campaign donations alone do not constitute plunder absent evidence that public funds were involved or that favors were exchanged in return.
He also questioned the Ombudsman’s decision to pursue plunder charges against him and Marcoleta, writing on social media:
“Kami pa ang kinasuhan ng plunder! Tapos si Manny Bonoan ginawang state witness!!!??? Haayyyyy! Grabe ang walanghiyaan!”
The anticipated filing comes as the Office of the Ombudsman continues to pursue other high-profile corruption investigations. Remulla has previously said his office is also building several cases in connection with the alleged flood control fund anomalies, including those involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
As part of that investigation, the Ombudsman subpoenaed records from the House of Representatives, including documents from the Small Committee and the Committee on Appropriations. Remulla said those records were not turned over to investigators but stressed that the investigation would continue using the evidence already gathered. As of publication, no criminal Information involving Romualdez has been publicly confirmed as filed before the Sandiganbayan, and no court action has been announced in connection with that probe.
As of publication, no warrant of arrest has been issued against either Marcoleta or Defensor. Any decision to issue warrants will depend on the Sandiganbayan’s determination after the criminal Information is formally filed.
