QUEZON CITY — The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the preventive suspension of Senator Rodante Marcoleta in connection with a plunder case involving ₱75 million in alleged undeclared campaign contributions.
The anti-graft court announced the suspension order, issued on October 19, which is rooted in Republic Act 7080 (the Plunder Law) and Republic Act 3019 (the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
Addressing procedural concerns, the court noted that a preliminary hearing is unnecessary prior to implementing a mandatory suspension under these statutes.
“There is no requirement for a pre-suspension hearing before an accused can be preventively suspended in a case of plunder under the court’s Internal Rules or in jurisprudence,” the anti-graft court stated.
Furthermore, the tribunal emphasized that the law mandates suspension once valid information is established.
“The provisions on preventive suspension under the Plunder Law and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act are worded similarly, and both laws provide that preventive suspension is mandatory when there is a valid information,” it added.
The court also maintained that the factual details outlined in the charges sufficiently satisfy the legal elements of plunder and contravene Presidential Decree 46, which bans public officials from accepting gifts. Under the resolution, the suspension will remain in effect for a maximum of 90 days.
Marcoleta faces these legal proceedings alongside co-accused individuals identified as the supposed donors of the funds: former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor, businessman Joseph Espiritu, and Aristotle Viray.