By Mark Joseph M. Sanchez
SENATOR Rodante D. Marcoleta on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to plunder and gift-related charges before the Sandiganbayan over allegations that he failed to declare P75 million in campaign contributions during the 2025 midterm elections.
Mr. Marcoleta entered a not guilty plea before the anti-graft court’s Third Division after withdrawing an earlier motion seeking to quash the plunder information filed against him.
“It was, your honor. As a matter of fact, we discussed this thoroughly with the counsels of co-accused,” Mr. Marcoleta told the court when Associate Justice Karl B. Miranda asked whether he was voluntarily withdrawing the motion.
His lawyer, Rodolfo A. Sabulao, Jr., earlier asked the court to proceed with the arraignment to expedite the case.
Businessman Joseph V. Espiritu also pleaded not guilty before the Third Division to an alleged violation of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts and private individuals from giving them.
The charges stem from allegations that Mr. Marcoleta failed to disclose P75 million in campaign contributions while serving as a congressman and running for the Senate.
Prosecutors alleged that the donations consisted of P30 million from former Quezon City Rep. Michael “Mike” T. Defensor, P25 million from Mr. Espiritu, and P20 million from businessman Aristotle B. Viray.
The prosecution said the contributions were omitted from Mr. Marcoleta’s statement of contributions and expenditures and his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, forming the basis of the plunder and related gift charges.
Mr. Defensor, Mr. Espiritu and Mr. Viray had earlier pleaded not guilty to the plunder case.
The Sandiganbayan previously issued arrest warrants against Mr. Marcoleta and his co-accused after finding probable cause to proceed with the cases. They were later committed to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas following the issuance of commitment orders.
Later on Wednesday, Mr. Marcoleta and Mr. Defensor were arraigned before the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division on a separate count of alleged violation of PD No. 46, where both again pleaded not guilty.
Mr. Marcoleta also faces another alleged violation of PD No. 46 before the anti-graft court’s First Division, where Mr. Viray is his co-accused.
The cases are among several charges filed against the senator and his alleged donors over campaign contributions that prosecutors claim were not properly disclosed in documents required under election and anti-corruption laws.
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