Sandiganbayan suspends Marcoleta as senator over plunder case

MARCOLETA. Senator Rodante Marcoleta, accompanied by PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group personnel, leaves the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on July 15, 2026, and will be brought to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas.

Jire Carreon/Rappler

Senator Rodante Marcoleta is facing a plunder case due to questions related to his P75-million campaign donations

MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan 3rd Division has suspended Senator Rodante Marcoleta from his position due to his pending plunder case, the chamber announced on Monday, October 19.

“In the Sandiganbayan’s Resolution penned by Justice Karl B. Miranda and promulgated today, October 19, 2026, Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta is suspended from his position as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines and from any other public office which he may now or hereafter be holding for a period of 90 days from receipt of this resolution,” the 3rd Division said.

“His suspension shall automatically be lifted upon the expiration of the 90-day period from the implementation of this resolution,” it added.

In July, the Office of the Ombudsman filed the non-bailable case against Marcoleta due to questions related to the P75-million campaign donations to him. Aside from plunder, the senator was also charged with three counts of alleged violation of Presidential Decree No. 46 (receiving gifts).

Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7080 or the Plunder Law declares that any public officer charged with the case “whatever stage of execution and mode of participation, is pending in court, shall be suspended from office.” – Rappler.com