Marcoleta's bail plea in plunder case deemed submitted for resolution

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The Sandiganbayan Third Division is set to decide whether or not it will allow Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and his co-accused to post bail in their plunder cases.

According to Maki Pulido's report on "24 Oras," the issue of Marcoleta’s bail has already been deemed submitted for resolution. The anti-graft court will issue a decision in the coming days.

In the Guidelines on Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases, the court has 30 days to resolve this, meaning that the court has to decide by November 19.

Marcoleta is currently detained in the New Quezon City Jail for his plunder case, which stemmed from the P75 million he admitted to receiving from former lawmaker Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray. He reportedly received the amount while he was still a lawmaker in the House of Representatives.

While the court is resolving the matter, Marcoleta’s trial continues.

The first trial date was held on Thursday morning; the prosecution presented the evidence against Marcoleta and his three co-accused.

The evidence presented included a link to the television show where Marcoleta admitted to receiving the money as well as the verified position paper that Macroleta submitted to the Commission on Election where he admitted that the P75 million became a part of his personal funds and not a campaign donation.

The prosecution was meant to present as witnesses the lawyers who notarized the deed of donation for Defensor and the other co-accused, but Marcoleta’s camp moved to exempt them, citing attorney-client privilege.

Both sides agreed that the documents were authentic.

Marcoleta’s counsel is expected to present evidence for his defense on October 19. —Jean Mangaluz/NB, GMA News