MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it may coordinate with the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the P75-million campaign donation received by Senator Rodante Marcoleta as a senatorial candidate.

In a media report, it said that according to a report on “24 Oras Weekend,” the development came after the poll body dismissed its motu proprio investigation into the donation, which was earlier flagged for not being initially declared in Marcoleta’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the agency has yet to receive any motion for reconsideration that could lead to the reopening of the case.

Despite the dismissal, Garcia said the Comelec has not ruled out possible coordination with the Ombudsman, where a separate complaint has already been filed.

The complaint before the Ombudsman questions whether the P75-million donation was properly reflected in Marcoleta’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), which is separate from election reporting requirements.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta earlier said the donation was received before the campaign period began.

The complaint identified former congressman Mike Defensor, Joseph Espiritu, and Aristotle Baluyot as the alleged sources of the donation.

Defensor has questioned allegations that the matter could constitute plunder, noting that no government funds were involved.

In a separate statement, Comelec said it is prepared to assist the Ombudsman should coordination be requested in relation to possible plunder and bribery complaints.

“Comelec is ready to help and coordinate with Ombudsman” once the latter asks for it, Garcia said.

He also clarified that the motu proprio investigation into Marcoleta has already been dismissed.

“With regards to the revival of the case, Comelec has not yet considered it,” Garcia said, adding that no motion for reconsideration has been received.

In March, the Comelec en banc terminated its probe into alleged inconsistencies in Marcoleta’s SOCE for the 2025 elections after finding no evidence of an election offense.

However, the poll body directed its Law Department to look into the donors for their alleged failure to submit required reports on contributions after the elections.