MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman said that the planned filing of plunder and related charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta over his alleged undeclared PHP75 million in campaign donations remains on schedule despite protests staged by members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the filing of the cases against Marcoleta and three others is expected to proceed within the week.

“Well that [filing of plunder and other cases] seems to be on track. That P75 million would have doubled his net worth. You’re not supposed to be able to receive that much of an amount as a public official,” Clavano said during a press conference.

Clavano was referring to the PHP75 million that Marcoleta allegedly received from campaign donors in January 2025 while serving as a Sagip Party-list representative and before the official campaign period for the 2025 Senate elections.

He said candidates may solicit campaign contributions during the election period, but these must comply with legal limits and disclosure requirements.

“If it is the campaign period, then the law allows for public officials or those who are running, those who are candidates [for elective position], to solicit donations or to solicit contributions, provided that it is within the limit of allowable contributions. If it goes over that, that’s a violation. If you don’t declare it, it’s also a violation. Here, there was no declaration [from Marcoleta] whatsoever,” Clavano added.

Asked about Marcoleta’s earlier statement that he was prepared to be arrested, Clavano said arrest procedures are outside the Ombudsman’s authority.

“Hindi naman kami ang mag-aaresto,” Clavano said. “Our job will end at the filing and the prosecution of the case, pero yung pag-aaresto, hindi na namin jurisdiction ‘yan.”

According to the Ombudsman, Marcoleta allegedly accepted PHP75 million in campaign donations from former lawmaker Mike Defensor and businessmen Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu but failed to declare the funds in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

Clavano said the alleged campaign contributions may be considered ill-gotten wealth even if they came from private individuals.

Under the Anti-Plunder Act, public officials may face plunder charges if they are found to have amassed at least PHP50 million in ill-gotten wealth.

Earlier, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the decision to file charges against Marcoleta was based on the evidence gathered during a motu proprio investigation.

“They all know that it is not true. When there is a motu proprio investigation, hindi na inaawat ‘yan. Kasi may pupuntahan talaga ‘yan,” Remulla said.

“I never instructed anybody to conduct such investigation. It was brought up by a team, and the work was good, so I said we will the case. [When] the evidence is in front of you, might as well bring it to court,” he added.

Marcoleta has denied any wrongdoing and has maintained that the planned charges are intended to silence him and suppress legitimate dissent.