Former congressman Mike Defensor on Monday lamented the issuance of arrest warrants against him, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, and two others in connection with a ₱75-million plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a video statement, Defensor insisted that the plunder and indirect bribery charges filed against him and Senator Marcoleta have “no basis.“

“Kami na lumalaban sa korapsyon ang nauna pang makulong sa isang kasong walang batayan,” Defensor said, adding that they would not be silenced despite the case.

The former lawmaker claimed that his arrest would prevent him and Senator Rodante Marcoleta from speaking out against corruption.

“Sa amin pong pagkakakulong ay hindi na po kami makakapagsalita sa korapsyon, na ang gusto lang naman namin ay lumabas ang katotohanan: transparency, accountability, and justice,” he added.

The case stemmed from Marcoleta’s undeclared ₱75-million campaign donation during the 2025 elections, which was not reflected in the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) and the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

Defensor also reiterated that the legal developments would not prompt them to evade arrest.

He added: “Nauna pa kaming makulong kaysa sa mga totoong nagnakaw sa kaban ng bayan. Makukulong niyo kami at mapapatahimik, pero hindi po kami susuko.”

Defensor previously vowed during a surprise Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally at the People Power Monument along EDSA that he would not evade arrest.

Marcoleta was arrested on July 6 after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the plunder case.