Marcoleta on possible plunder charges: They want to silence me

Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday slammed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla who said that plunder charges will be filed against the lawmaker this week.

Marcoleta, however, maintained that he did nothing wrong and claimed that the charges are being filed because of his investigation on the flood control projects during his time as Blue Ribbon Chair.

"Ang kasalanan ko lamang po ay yung paglingkuran kayo, kung kasalanan pong matatawag yan. Na humarap sa kanila ng buong tapang para sa ganon ay malaman ninyo ang totoo," said Marcoleta in a statement.

(My only sin is to serve you, if that can be called a sin—to face them with all courage so that you may know the truth.)

"Ngunit kapag ako'y kanilang inaresto, hindi na po matutuloy yan. Akala po nila ay maililibing ito sa limot," added Marcoleta.

(But if they arrest me, that won't continue. They thought it would be buried in oblivion.)

Remulla on Monday said that charges against Marcoleta are set to be filed with the Sandiganbayan in connection to his undeclared campaign contributions worth around P75 million.

“It's is for Resolution. We're about to file it before the Sandiganbayan. It’s plunder,” Remulla said in a press conference.

Ombudsman prosecutors have said that while Marcoleta had publicly stated in interviews that he received P75 million in campaign donations, the amount was not reflected in his 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) or his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) for his 2025 Senate bid.

The Ombudsman also said the donor’s tax for the P75 million was paid only in December 2025, which prosecutors argued was belated and indicative of concealment.

Impeachment

Marcoleta, meanwhile, also said that his possible arrest may be related to Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment.

"Ang isa pa pong inaasahan nila ay hindi na po ako makakasali doon sa impeachment proceedings na nakatakda pong magsimula sa susunod na linggo," said Marcoleta.

(Another thing they expect is that I will no longer be able to participate in the impeachment proceedings that are scheduled to begin next week.)

"Samakatuwid, dalawang ibon sa isang putok, mga kababayan," said Duterte's ally.

(Therefore, two birds with one stone, fellow citizens.)

The senator also maintained that he will not be silenced amid moves for possible arrest.

"Gaya po nang nauna ko nang ipinahayag sa inyo, alam kong gagawin nila ito. Alam kong aarestuhin nila ako. Alam kong ikukulong nila ako. Ngunit hindi po dahilan yan para tumigil ako sa paglilingkod sa inyo," added Marcoleta.

(As I told you before, I know they will do this. I know they will arrest me. I know they will imprison me. But that is no reason for me to stop serving you.)

He also accused Remulla of being behind the possible charges against him.

"Alam ko po ang promotor nito ay ang ating Ombudsman sapagkat nung kami po ay nagtatalo-talo sa bulwagan ng Senado, isa sa amin ang nagsabi na, ‘sometimes we have to bend the law!’ At sumagot po yung Ombudsman nang tinanong siya kung tama ang kanyang sinabi. Alam na po ninyo kung ano yung sinagot niya, ‘yes, sir!"

(I know the Ombudsman is behind this, because when we were arguing in the Senate hall, one of us said, 'sometimes we have to bend the law!' And the Ombudsman replied when asked if what he said was correct. You already know what he said, 'yes, sir!)

GMA News has reached out to Ombudmsan Remulla for comment but has yet to reply as of posting time.

Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan has already issued a precautionary hold departure order against Marcoleta over the alleged P75 million donation that Marcoleta received ahead of the 2025 midterm polls. —VAL, GMA News