Malacañang announced on Monday that it respects the Sandiganbayan’s order to arrest Senator Rodante Marcoleta and three other individuals, affirming that the executive branch will not meddle in the Senate’s decisions regarding the employment of the lawmaker’s staff.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder and bribery charges against Marcoleta for allegedly failing to declare ₱75 million in campaign donations during his tenure as a party-list representative—evidence that investigators noted came from the senator himself.
Marcoleta, who was already at the anti-graft court when the warrant was issued, stated that his presence was an act of good faith to face the legal process.
During a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro addressed the development:
“Yan ay kautusan ng korte. Yan ay inirerespeto ng Pangulo,” Castro said.
Castro also countered criticisms from former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor, who questioned why Marcoleta was swiftly arrested over what he termed a baseless case while other allegedly corrupt officials remained free.
“Sana minadali rin nila ang pagbibigay nila ng kongkretong ebidensya, hindi lang puro pa-media. Mas magkakaroon ng resolusyon at ng solusyon kung sila ay nagsumite kaagad ng kongkretong ebidensya,” Castro replied.
Regarding how the arrest impacts Marcoleta’s role in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and the status of his congressional staff, Castro emphasized that the decision rests entirely with the Senate leadership.
“Yan din ay nasa kamay ng Senado kung ano ang kanilang ipapatupad. Kung wala talagang maaaring trabaho sa loob ng opisina, it would be unfair kung mapapaswelduhan kung wala nang trabaho,” she explained.
Castro concluded by advising congressional staff members to actively discourage their employers from engaging in corrupt practices to safeguard their own jobs and prevent workplace disruptions.
“Yung mga tauhan mismo ang maaaring makapagpigil doon sa kanilang senador o congressman na pinagsisilbihan na huwag masangkot sa ganitong issue ng korapsyon,” she added.