THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is poised to announce its decision regarding Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) for the May 2025 elections this Wednesday.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia has confirmed that the en banc has been actively deliberating on the matter. “We have an intense discussion regarding it at the en banc. By Wednesday, we expect the commission to reach a decision,” Garcia stated in a radio interview on Sunday.
The case has encountered significant complexities, as reported earlier this week. The Comelec revealed it was facing “complications” in resolving the issue after the Office of the Ombudsman forwarded a related complaint. This complaint scrutinizes not only Marcoleta’s SOCE but also his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
A key point of contention is Marcoleta’s SOCE, which indicates he spent P139.9 million on his 2025 senatorial campaign. This figure dramatically surpasses his declared SALN of P51,965,559. Compounding the scrutiny, his SOCE reported zero donations received. Garcia mentioned that the commission is currently verifying if the issues raised in the Ombudsman’s complaint align with their ongoing investigation.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Senator Marcoleta himself reportedly admitted to failing to declare contributions received for his 2025 campaign, citing that his donors allegedly requested anonymity. This admission further fuels the Comelec’s examination of his financial disclosures.
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