Ombudsman seeks travel ban vs Marcoleta, Defensor amid plunder complaint

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:01]The office of the Ombudsman asked the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to issue a precautionary hold departure order against Senator Rodante Marcoleta and others. This over a pending plunder complaint regarding Marcoleta's campaign donations. Aside from Marcoleta, his fellow respondents are also listed in the PHDO request. Former lawmaker Mike Defensor, Aristotle Viray, and Joseph [music] Espiritu. They face complaints of plunder, indirect bribery, and receiving gifts. Marcoleta declared a net worth of 51 million pesos in 20 25 yet spent [music] 112 million pesos for his senatorial bid despite declaring zero contributions.

[00:00:36]He later confirmed he received 75 million pesos in campaign donations, but he got the money before the start of the senatorial campaign period. The senator explained that he did not include the amount in the statement of contributions and expenditures because he was not yet a candidate when he received it. In March, the Commission on Elections found that Marcoleta did not violate an election rule [music] related to the disclosure of campaign contributions.

[00:00:58]Meantime, Marcoleta in a privilege speech before the Senate calls the criminal complaint trumped-up charges.