The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is preparing to issue a resolution on the case involving Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta over alleged inaccuracies in his statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) for the 2025 midterm elections.
COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia confirmed Thursday that the matter is already up for resolution after the Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) issued a show cause order to Marcoleta in November.
PFAD is tasked with reviewing and validating candidates’ SOCE filings.
“Yes, it is for resolution by the PFAD,” Garcia said in a message to reporters.
Marcoleta was earlier directed to explain discrepancies between his public statements and the figures declared in his SOCE and statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).
The issue surfaced after he was asked in a television interview why his reported campaign spending exceeded his declared assets.
Records on the COMELEC website show Marcoleta declared zero contributions in his SOCE, while listing campaign expenditures amounting to ₱112,857,951.44. His SALN reflected total assets of ₱80,401,700.
In response, Marcoleta said he did not disclose certain contributions in his SOCE at the request of friends who wanted to remain anonymous.
Following a fact-finding review, Garcia noted that the senator explained the donations were received before the official start of the 2025 campaign period.
As of now, the PFAD is finalizing its resolution on the case.