Detained Senator Rodante Marcoleta has called on the Senate impeachment court to establish a mechanism enabling him and Senator Jinggoy Estrada to take part in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, insisting that incarceration does not strip elected officials of their constitutional duty.
In a statement to reporters on Tuesday, Marcoleta confirmed filing a manifestation requesting that the Senate find a way to accommodate both detained lawmakers during the proceedings.
“Mayroon akong finile na manifestation sa Senado. Doon ko inihain ang katwiran na kailangan humanap ang Senado ng kaukulang pamamaraan para ako at si Senator Jinggoy ay makapag-participate sa impeachment trial,” Marcoleta said.
Marcoleta argued that detention does not alter his status as a member of the upper chamber or change the total composition of the Senate.
“Ang aking pagkakakulong dito ay hindi nanganguhulugan na hindi na ako senador. Ang pagkakakulong ko dito hindi nanganguhulugan na nabawasan ang number ng 24 na senador natin. Nananatili yan at kahit kailan hindi yan ma-aalter,” he added.
Marcoleta is currently held at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas following charges over an alleged failure to declare ₱75 million in campaign contributions from his 2025 senatorial campaign.
Estrada remains in custody under separate charges involving a ₱573-million plunder case and two counts of graft related to alleged flood control fund irregularities.
Expressing dismay over the situation, Marcoleta asserted that preventing their participation hinders the public’s pursuit of truth and transparency.
“Nalulungkot ako sapagkat hindi lang ako ang nakakulong, ang nakakulong dito ang taumbayan, yung kanilang hinahanap na katotohanan na hanggang ngayon ay hindi naibibigay sa kanila na ngayon ay nakakubli ang mga taong may kagagawan nito,” he said.