The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday defended its decision to file a plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan, saying the move was based on evidence and the law.
In a statement, the Ombudsman said the case stemmed from three cash donations totaling P75 million, which it said were not declared in Marcoleta’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and campaign finance reports.
The agency said Marcoleta had publicly acknowledged receiving the funds, leaving it to the courts to determine whether the facts constitute plunder and bribery under the law.
The Ombudsman said it has a duty to enforce the law regardless of a person’s position, popularity, or personal relationships.
It also addressed Marcoleta’s previous reference to the Filipino value of “utang na loob,” saying that while gratitude is deeply rooted in Filipino culture, it has no place in deciding matters of public accountability.
The agency said a public official does not owe any personal debt to a donor that can outweigh accountability to the Filipino people.
It added that invoking gratitude to justify P75 million in undisclosed funds runs contrary to the country’s anti-plunder and anti-bribery laws.
The Ombudsman acknowledged the intense public debate surrounding the case but urged the public to allow the courts to resolve the matter based on facts and law, not emotion or fear.
It stressed that Marcoleta continues to enjoy the presumption of innocence and has the full right to defend himself before the Sandiganbayan.
The Ombudsman said it did not seek the controversy, but it could not remain silent when the law required action.