The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Wednesday said resolving the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) case of Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta has become more complicated following a recent referral from the Office of the Ombudsman.
COMELEC Chairman George Garcia explained that the poll body’s Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) had already prepared a draft resolution, but the new referral requires additional review.
“Gusto ko lang sabihin na ang iniimbestigahan patungkol kay Senator Marcoleta ay hindi lang factual na issue, isang legal na issue. Ang sinetup niya na depensa para maging maliwanag lang – inamin, tama may nagbigay sa kanya na donasyon, binigay sa kanya pagkatapos niya mag-file ng kandidatura noong October ng 2024 subalit ang kanyang kontensyon, hindi siya kandidato at the time na ibinigay ang naturang donasyon,” Garcia said.
Marcoleta’s defense cites the Peñera vs. Comelec (2009) ruling, which states that a candidate is liable for election offenses only once the campaign period begins. He submitted affidavits and supporting documents indicating the donation dates, which are now under review.
Garcia noted that although PFAD already has a recommendation, the Ombudsman’s referral has complicated the process.
“Mayroon nang rekomendasyon ang [PFAD] patungkol sa kaso na yan… kaya nga lang nagkaroon ng kaunting komplikasyon. Dapat maglalabas na kami, kaya lang biglang na-complicate kasi Ombudsman na mismo ang nag-refer sa amin ng mismong complaint na yun. Parehas ang kaso, parehas ang akusasyon, parehas ang alegasyon. Ang tanong pwede ba naming i-consolidate o dapat magkaiba ang treatment?” he explained.
The commission is now deliberating whether to consolidate the SOCE case with the Ombudsman-referred complaint or handle them separately before issuing a final resolution.