Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday claimed the cases set to be filed against him were part of a broader effort to silence him and prevent the truth from coming out on alleged massive corruption in government.
In a statement, Marcoleta said the charges would lead to his arrest and could prevent him from participating in next week’s impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. He insisted, however, that detention would not stop him from continuing his work.
“Alam kong ikukulong nila ako. Ngunit hindi po dahilan ’yan para tumigil ako sa paglilingkod sa inyo,” Marcoleta said.
Marcoleta accused Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla of being behind the move, citing a previous Senate exchange where the phrase “sometimes we have to bend the law” was raised.
“Alam ko po ang promotor nito ay ang ating Ombudsman sapagkat nung kami ay nagtalo-talo sa bulwagan ng Senado, isa sa amin ang nagsabi na ‘sometimes we have to bend the law.’ At sumagot po ’yung Ombudsman nang tinanong siya kung tama ang kanyang sinabi. Alam na po ninyo kung ano ’yung sinagot niya, ‘yes sir!’” Marcoleta said.
He also claimed that the move followed a “pattern,” saying Senator Panfilo Lacson had earlier known that at least nine senators could be jailed for different causes.
Marcoleta called on his supporters not to allow authorities to “bend the law,” as he maintained that the cases against him were politically motivated and intended to stop him from exposing corruption.
Remulla earlier said the Office of the Ombudsman would file plunder and indirect bribery charges against Marcoleta over his alleged failure to disclose ₱75 million in campaign donations from former Rep. Michael Defensor, Joseph Espiritu, and Aristotle Viray before the 2025 midterm elections.
The Ombudsman said the case stemmed from Marcoleta’s own admission on his television program that he received campaign funds from donors who wanted to remain anonymous.
Marcoleta denied wrongdoing and described the charges as trumped-up.