Senator Rodante Marcoleta insisted he has done nothing wrong amid the impending filing of plunder charges against him, saying his only “offense” was serving the Filipino people and exposing alleged anomalies in government projects.
“Ang kasalanan ko lamang po ay yung paglingkuran kayo, kung kasalanan pong matatawag ‘yan. Na humarap sa kanila ng buong tapang para sa ganoon ay malaman ninyo ang totoo,” Marcoleta said in a statement.
The senator’s remarks came a day after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that the Office of the Ombudsman is set to file plunder charges against Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan over an alleged undeclared P75-million campaign contribution.
Marcoleta claimed the charges were politically motivated, saying they stemmed from his investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects during his stint as Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair.
He also suggested that his possible arrest was intended to prevent him from taking part in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Ang isa pa pong inaasahan nila ay hindi na po ako makakasali doon sa impeachment proceedings na nakatakda pong magsimula sa susunod na linggo. Samakatuwid, dalawang ibon sa isang putok, mga kababayan,” he said.
Despite the looming case, Marcoleta vowed to continue serving the public.
“Alam kong gagawin nila ito. Alam kong aarestuhin nila ako. Alam kong ikukulong nila ako. Ngunit hindi po dahilan ‘yan para tumigil ako sa paglilingkod sa inyo,” he added.
Remulla said the Ombudsman had already resolved to file plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan.
According to Ombudsman prosecutors, Marcoleta publicly admitted receiving P75 million in campaign donations, but the amount was allegedly omitted from both his 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) during his Senate campaign.
Prosecutors also said the donor’s tax corresponding to the amount was paid only in December 2025, which they argued was belated and indicative of an attempt to conceal the transaction.
Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan has issued a precautionary hold departure order against Marcoleta in connection with the alleged P75-million campaign donation received ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
