Senator Rodante Marcoleta has made it clear that he's prepared to face the consequences of allegations that he received a P75 million donation while still serving as congressman. The Office of the Ombudsman is currently investigating the matter for possible plunder charges. In a rally staged by his fellow Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members, Marcoleta said, 'Nakahanda po akong magpakulong. Kung kinakailangan kong maaresto po, wala pong problema.' (I am prepared to go to jail. If I have to be arrested, there is no problem.)
Marcoleta received the P75 million donation before his 2025 senatorial campaign, but it was not declared in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE). The amount far exceeds the minimum required under Philippine law for plunder charges. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had initially asked Marcoleta to explain why the amount was not shown in his SOCE, but later ruled in his favor, stating that he did not commit any election offense.
One INC member defended Marcoleta, saying, 'Yun po ay donasyon na pribado, so bakit po ‘yun ikakaso kung donasyon po ‘yun at ‘di galing sa kaban ng bayan?' (That was a private donation, so why would you sue if it was a donation and not from the public coffers?)
Senator Imee Marcos and former congressman Mike Defensor also spoke at the rally, echoing supporters' chants of a supposed 'selective justice' in the government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The rally is continuing on its third day at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.
According to Presidential Decree No. 46, a public officer may be charged with plunder if an ill-gotten wealth involved amounts to at least P50 million. Marcoleta's net worth was P51 million, and he spent P112 million during his 2025 senatorial campaign. The Office of the Ombudsman is still investigating the matter, and no final decision has been made regarding the filing of charges.
The rally's permit for a third day in Quezon City was revoked, leading the INC-led rally to continue in Manila. The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to file charges in the coming days, and Marcoleta has vowed to stand by his actions.
The issue has sparked a debate on the rules governing public donations, with some lawmakers questioning whether the amount should be declared as campaign funding. The case is now in the hands of the Office of the Ombudsman, which will decide whether to file plunder charges against Marcoleta.
'Ang ibinibintang nila sa akin ay salaping pantulong para sa kampanya para ako ay manalong isang senador. Mga kaibigan ko na pribado at sarili lang [nilang] pera ang kanilang itinulong sa akin, baka sakaling manalo nga po ako at nanalo nga po ako,' Marcoleta said. (What they are accusing me of is campaign funding for me to win a senatorial seat. My friends helped me with their own money, privately, just in case I win, and I did win.)
As the investigation continues, many are watching to see how the Office of the Ombudsman will proceed with the charges against Marcoleta. The case has sparked a heated debate on the rules governing public donations and the implications for public officials.