Marcoleta arrested over P75-M plunder issue

Mikaela Ariar, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
July 6, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Joseph Vidal

PHILIPPINES – Senator Rodante Marcoleta was ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan Third Division on July 6 after the anti-graft court denied his motions to dismiss a plunder case regarding an alleged P75 million undeclared campaign donation on his 2025 senatorial bid. It was verified that Marcoleta was at the Sandiganbayan following the findings.

Also ordered arrested were businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray, and former Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Michael Defensor who were seen as alleged campaign donors. Since plunder is a non-bailable offense, the defendant must first seek bail before a temporary liberty is granted.

The Office of the Ombudsman pressed charges, stating that Marcoleta got P75 million in three cash donations in early 2025 but did not declare them in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and campaign finance reports. Prosecutors also said that the donor’s tax was paid only in December 2025.