Malacañang on Monday said it respects the Sandiganbayan’s order for the arrest of Senator Rodante Marcoleta and his co-accused in a non-bailable plunder case involving the alleged nondisclosure of P75 million in campaign donations.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the executive branch’s duty is to enforce a valid warrant issued by the anti-graft court.
The warrant covered Marcoleta, former lawmaker Mike Defensor, and businessmen Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu.
“Kung iyan po ang isinasaad at sinasabi ng batas at iyan naman po ang kautusan ng korte, iyan naman po ay irerespeto ng Pangulo,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Marcoleta appeared before the Sandiganbayan on Monday for the hearing of his motion to quash the plunder information and defer the issuance of an arrest warrant.
The court denied the motions, paving the way for his arrest.
Asked how Marcoleta’s arrest could affect Senate proceedings and the impeachment court, Castro said the matter is for the Senate to address.
She stressed that the implementation of a court-issued arrest warrant cannot be stopped without another court order.
“Sa anumang pagkakataon, kung anuman ang oras, kung anumang araw, kung ano ang sinasabi ng korte, kung mayroon silang inisyu na warrant of arrest, hindi po ito mapapahinto hangga’t wala rin naman pong court order na maaaring magpahinto sa pagpapatupad dito,” Castro said.
“So, kung inisyu po ito ng korte, ito’y valid warrant of arrest, wala pong magagawa ang Ehekutibo kundi ito ay i-enforce,” she added.
On the possibility of another Iglesia ni Cristo-led protest following Marcoleta’s arrest, Castro said Malacañang believes the INC leadership would also respect the developments and the enforcement of the law.
Marcoleta is a member of the religious group.
Asked about Defensor’s claim that the charges were baseless, Castro said the accused should answer the allegations and defend themselves before the court.
She also dismissed Defensor’s claim that they were arrested ahead of others who supposedly stole from public funds, saying those making such allegations should file cases and present concrete evidence in court instead of airing accusations through the media.