The Philippine National Police (PNP) clarified that it has not received a formal court order to arrest Senator Rodante Marcoleta, despite circulating rumors that a warrant had been issued in connection with a plunder investigation.
The issue stems from complaints regarding an alleged failure to disclose ₱75 million in campaign donations from past elections. While the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) cleared Marcoleta because the funds were received prior to the official campaign period, the Office of the Ombudsman pursued an investigation.
The Ombudsman argues that the act could constitute indirect bribery, and since the amount surpasses the ₱50 million threshold, it qualifies as plunder.
The Sandiganbayan has already approved a preventive hold departure order against the senator and three others, including former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor, who was named as one of the donors.
PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co stated that the police will handle the situation through standard protocols once official documents arrive.
“As of now the PNP has not received any official communication regarding said warrant but just like any other warrants. Once we receive a warrant just like any other warrant from a competent warrant we will execute or we will implement,” Co said.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. echoed this stance, emphasizing that the police force will not move based on speculation and will wait for explicit judicial directives.
“The Philippine National Police has not issued any special operational directive concerning Senator Marcoleta, and we do not act on rumors or unverified information,” Nartatez said.
“The Philippine National Police remains a professional and apolitical organization, and all our actions are based on legal orders of competent courts, on the rule of law and on the maintenance of peace and order,” he said.