The Sandiganbayan has issued a Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, former Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor, and two businessmen in connection with a plunder complaint involving an alleged P75-million campaign donation.
The anti-graft court’s Seventh Division granted the request of the Office of the Ombudsman to prevent Marcoleta, Defensor, Joseph Varias Espiritu, and Aristotle Baluyut Viray from leaving the country while prosecutors conduct a preliminary investigation.
The order effectively places the four respondents under travel restrictions as the Ombudsman looks into allegations linked to campaign funds reportedly received by Marcoleta.
Ombudsman prosecutors said Marcoleta allegedly admitted in several interviews that he received P75 million in campaign contributions. However, they said the amount was not reflected in his 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) or in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) for his Senate campaign.
The complaint centers on whether the alleged donation should have been declared in official disclosure documents and whether any violation of anti-graft or campaign finance rules occurred.
Marcoleta won a Senate seat after placing sixth in the 2025 elections. Defensor, meanwhile, was identified in connection with the alleged campaign contribution issue.
The PHDO does not constitute a finding of guilt but is a preventive measure that allows authorities to keep respondents within Philippine jurisdiction while the investigation is ongoing.