MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will require Senator Rodante Marcoleta to explain alleged inconsistencies in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) for the May 2025 elections.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body will issue a show-cause order to give Marcoleta an opportunity to clarify the matter.

“So that the senator can have a venue to explain. It is difficult on social media to know what is being said; they might say we are not taking action. So that there is a venue for explanation and to see the documents, we will issue a show-cause order. It is appropriate to do this so that we can ask him for an explanation since the report is already public,” Garcia said in an interview at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday.

Garcia added that issuing the order is meant to ensure complete transparency and accountability, and that it will be released in the coming days.

The poll chief explained that the action stems from Marcoleta’s previous admission that he did not disclose some campaign contributors’ names because they requested anonymity.

“Because he also said that the reason why it was not included… We looked and saw that the amount mentioned as expenses is exactly that. Where it came from or how it came from, that’s what we want to know,” Garcia said.

He further emphasized that under the Omnibus Election Code, Section 99, candidates are required to report donations and expenses during the campaign period. Violations of the SOCE law can constitute perjury, which carries legal penalties.

Meanwhile, Garcia said the Comelec en banc is expected next week to release a resolution on the case of Senator Francis Escudero concerning a PHP30-million donation from a government contractor to his campaign funds for the May 2022 elections.

“The PFAD already submitted its recommendations. The commission en banc members will be given the opportunity to review it. There are six who have their own interpretations of the law,” Garcia said, adding that a disposition is expected no later than next Wednesday.

Escudero previously admitted receiving campaign contributions from Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., who confirmed the donation was intended to fund the former senator’s May 2022 campaign.