Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has raised concerns regarding the timing of the Office of the Ombudsman’s plan to file a non-bailable plunder charge against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, suggesting it is a calculated move to impact upcoming Senate proceedings, specifically the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
During a social media livestream, Cayetano expressed his alarm that the legal maneuver could effectively sideline Marcoleta, preventing him from fulfilling his legislative duties.
“Ibig sabihin sususpindihin siya, makukulong hanggang matapos ‘yung kaso,” Cayetano said in a Facebook livestream.
“Ibig sabihin hindi siya makakalahok sa (Senate) blue ribbon committee man, sa session or sa impeachment proceeding,” he added.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla recently announced that his office is finalizing a plunder complaint against Marcoleta, alleging he received ₱75 million in illicit campaign funds. Marcoleta has firmly denied these claims, asserting in his June 5 counter-affidavit that the money came from private donors and did not involve public funds.
Cayetano cautioned that the aggressive pursuit of minority senators could undermine the Senate’s structural integrity, particularly the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds vote needed to secure an impeachment conviction.
“Ibig ba sabihin kapag anim ang natanggal na senador o ikinulong, dose pwede na i-convict ang kahit sinong impeachable na officer?” Cayetano asked.
Ombudsman Remulla has rejected accusations of political bias, maintaining that his office is simply performing its duty regardless of the individuals involved.
“Hindi naman namin hiningi itong mangyari pero nangyari ito ‘proprio vigore.’ Apparently the crime was committed in open knowledge of everybody,” Remulla told reporters on Monday.
The Senate minority bloc currently faces significant instability, as Senator Jinggoy Estrada remains detained on plunder charges, while Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is reportedly evading an arrest order related to an International Criminal Court probe into the previous administration’s drug war.