Philippines – Senator Rodante Marcoleta stood before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, and entered a not guilty plea to plunder charges tied to the alleged non-declaration of P75 million in campaign donations.
According to a news, the senator appeared at the anti-graft court for his scheduled arraignment, where he also faced separate charges for allegedly receiving prohibited gifts as a public official.
The Charges He Faces
Marcoleta and his co-accused, businessman Joseph Espiritu, also pleaded not guilty to violating Presidential Decree No. 46. This law bars public officials from accepting gifts in connection with their duties.
The plunder case centers on claims that the senator failed to declare P75 million worth of campaign donations. It’s a serious accusation that carries heavy penalties under Philippine law.
A Move to Speed Up the Case
During the hearing, Marcoleta withdrew his motion to quash the plunder charge. That motion had questioned the information filed against him.
By pulling it back, he cleared the way for his arraignment to move forward. His camp said the goal was to push for a faster resolution of the case rather than delay the proceedings.
Who Else Is Involved
Marcoleta isn’t standing alone in this case. Several others have been named as co-accused, and all of them have already entered their own pleas.
The co-accused include:
- Mike Defensor – former lawmaker, previously pleaded not guilty to plunder
- Joseph Espiritu – businessman, pleaded not guilty to both plunder and the gift charge
- Aristotle Viray – businessman, previously pleaded not guilty to plunder
All four men are currently detained at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas while the legal process continues.
What Happens Next
The Sandiganbayan Third Division, chaired by Associate Justice Karl Miranda, has yet to set a schedule for the bail petitions filed by Marcoleta and Viray.
Meanwhile, the court has locked in the next major step. The pretrial is set for August 10, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. During this stage, both the prosecution and defense are expected to agree on certain facts and mark their evidence before the actual trial begins.
For Filipinos watching from abroad, this case is one to follow closely. It involves a sitting senator, millions in questioned funds, and a court process that could stretch on for months. We’ll keep you posted as the trial unfolds.