THE Office of the Ombudsman has alleged that former Sagip party‑list representative and now Senator Rodante Marcoleta unjustly enriched himself by accepting what it described as an “unconscionable” gift amounting to ₱75 million from three private individuals.
Prosecutors laid out this claim in a formal request for a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) submitted to the Sandiganbayan on May 25, which also names former Anakalusugan party‑list lawmaker Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray as co‑respondents in the case.
This legal action comes in the midst of an ongoing preliminary investigation against the four individuals over serious charges including plunder, violations of Presidential Decree No. 46 — which strictly prohibits public officials from receiving gifts or favors — and three counts of indirect bribery.
The anti‑graft body is seeking to restrict the travel movements of the respondents to ensure they remain within the country and available to answer for the accusations, emphasizing that the large sum received forms a core part of the evidence suggesting corrupt transactions and abuse of authority.
In response to the allegations, Marcoleta strongly denied any wrongdoing during a privilege speech delivered on Monday. He dismissed the complaint filed by the Ombudsman as entirely false and baseless, framing the legal move as a direct attack against his right to express legitimate dissent and perform his duties as a legislator.
The senator maintained that the accusations are unfounded, even as the Ombudsman proceeds with its inquiry and the Sandiganbayan evaluates whether to grant the requested travel ban to prevent any of the respondents from evading accountability.
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