THE three-day Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) rally doesn’t seem enough to stop the Ombudsman from filing plunder charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta over a P75-million campaign donation.
“Today, we filed a plunder case against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan,” the anti-graft body said in a statement. “This was not a decision made lightly or by choice.”
Aside from Marcoleta, also dragged in the plunder complaint are former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, and businessmen identified as Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu.
On the same day, the plunder case was raffled to the anti-graft Third Division, which will study the Charge sheet to determine whether or not there’s sufficient basis to issue an arrest warrant against the respondents.
Under existing court procedures, the case review would take 10 days at the most. Plunder is non-bailable.
Aside from plunder, Marcoleta, Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray have been charged with violating Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving, and private persons from giving, gifts on any occasion.
Earlier this week, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla hinted at filing a plunder case against Marcoleta, prompting the INC to organize thousands of members to join a protest rally at the Edsa People Power Monument — in support of the senator.
Tens of thousands attended the rally which caused major disruption in Metro Manila’s major thoroughfare. The rally lasted for three days, the third day of which was held at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila City.
“We recognize this case has stirred intense public debate, and we respect every citizen’s right to an opinion, to rally, and to demand accountability, including from us,” the Ombudsman said.
“The evidence against Marcoleta and his co-accused leaves our office no discretion to look away… These facts are not in dispute; the senator has publicly confirmed receiving the money, and they can be stipulated at the onset of trial,” the statement further reads.
