Senator Marcoleta Admits Receiving P75 Million in Undeclared Campaign Donations

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. A reader who only reads this paragraph must understand what happened.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, a member of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), admitted receiving P75 million in campaign donations for his successful 2025 Senate bid. Despite being the only senator who reported no campaign donations in his official election records, Marcoleta acknowledged receiving the money in an interview with INC-run NET25 uploaded on November 8, 2024.

Rappler's analysis of his SOCE shows that he spent P112.9 million during his 2025 campaign. If his statement about receiving P75 million in campaign contributions is taken at face value, that amount would account for nearly 67% of his total reported campaign expenditures. Television advertisements accounted for the biggest share of his campaign spending at P49.63 million. He spent P26.08 million on GMA Network Inc., P18.21 million on TV5 Network Inc., and P5.34 million on TVJ Productions.

Marcoleta also invested P430 million in his social media campaign. Of this amount, P130,000 went to Facebook post boosting, while P300,000 was paid to Think Marketing for “social media campaign” services. Marcoleta also spent P13.7 million for printed materials and merchandise, like campaign shirts, arm sleeves, fan brochures, and tarpaulins. For event production, which accounted for led walls, sound and light systems, venue rental, and food, Marcoleta poured in P10.34 million.

The INC senator also paid P5 million to Publicus Asia Inc. as campaign consultant, and P42,428 for office equipment. Based on the complaint, Marcoleta allegedly received P30 million from former Anakalusugan Representative Mike Defensor. Defensor has been a vocal supporter of Marcoleta and was present in the recent rally staged by the INC protesting against the senator’s possible arrest in relation to undeclared campaign donations.

Marcoleta’s admission has since come under scrutiny, and he is now facing a non-bailable plunder complaint before the Sandiganbayan over the undeclared campaign contributions. Although he was cleared of an election offense, the Office of the Ombudsman alleges that Marcoleta committed plunder and violated Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts.

According to Rappler, Marcoleta is the 17th richest senator in the 24-member chamber, with a net worth of P51.96 million. Subtracting the alleged P75 million in undeclared campaign contributions from his reported P112.9 million in campaign expenditures leaves a significant gap in his reported earnings.

The investigation into Marcoleta's undeclared campaign contributions continues, with the Office of the Ombudsman alleging that he committed plunder and violated Presidential Decree No. 46. The Sandiganbayan is currently hearing the non-bailable plunder complaint against Marcoleta.