MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday denied that the plunder case being prepared against Senator Rodante Marcoleta is politically motivated, saying it is part of its broader campaign against corruption.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the agency’s actions are aimed at strengthening accountability and are not directed at any particular individual.

“Walang katotohanan po na targeted ang ating efforts. These are genuine efforts na maayos ang ating lipunan para hindi na tayo tawagin na (It is not true that our efforts are targeted. These are genuine efforts to fix our society so that we will no longer be called a) broken society,” Clavano said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas.

“This is the time po na kailangan na natin ayusin ang ating lipunan. Wala po tayo kinikilingan dito sa ating ginagawa (This is the time that we need to fix our society. We are not biased in what we do),” he added.

Clavano said the Ombudsman is preparing to file plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan against Marcoleta for allegedly receiving PHP75 million in campaign contributions from former congressman Mike Defensor, as well as Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu.

He said the amount was allegedly not declared in Marcoleta’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

According to Clavano, it will be up to the Sandiganbayan to determine whether arrest warrants will be issued against Marcoleta and his co-accused.

He added that Marcoleta was still serving as a congressman when he allegedly received the PHP75 million intended for his senatorial campaign in the 2025 national and local elections.

Clavano said the case stemmed from Marcoleta’s public admission that he received the campaign contributions.

He also said the Office of the Ombudsman is preparing to file charges against contractors and other individuals allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects as part of its anti-corruption drive.

According to Clavano, publicly announcing pending cases is part of the Ombudsman’s commitment to transparency.

He noted that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed several pending cases during a press conference on Monday.

“Marami po siyang inanunsyo na mga kaso, lalo na po sa mga contractor na matagal na naming ini-investigate. So malapit na po yan na pumasok sa preliminary investigation (He announced many cases, especially on contractors that we have been investigating for a long time. So, it will soon enter the preliminary investigation),” Clavano said.