Mike Defensor denies asking for, receiving favors for donation to Marcoleta's campaign

Former AnaKalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor on Friday denied asking for and receiving any favor in return for the donation he gave to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta's campaign in the 2025 midterm elections.

For this reason, Defensor said the donation could not be considered plunder.

“’Yun yung campaign donation na dinismiss na ng Comelec. Ang plunder, kailangan ng pondo ng gobyerno, ninakaw natin, o ‘di kaya… may ibinigay na pera pagkatapos may kapalit. Eh wala namang kapalit, wala namang hinigi,” Defensor said.

(That was the campaign donation that the Comelec already dismissed. Plunder requires government funds—either we stole it, or... money was given, and then there was something in return. But there was nothing given in return, nothing was asked for.)

Marcoleta, Defensor, and two others are facing plunder and indirect bribery complaints filed by the Ombudsman prosecutors for accepting a P75-million campaign donation.

On Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division issued a precautionary hold departure order on the respondents others from leaving the country. –Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/NB, GMA News