Senator Rodante Marcoleta may face possible liability for “indirect bribery“ over undeclared campaign contributions linked to the 2025 senatorial elections, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday, March 10.
In a privilege speech at the Senate, Lacson said the explanations given by Marcoleta for failing to declare certain campaign donors in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) could amount to an “admission against interest.”
Lacson pointed out that Marcoleta’s statements regarding the contributions he received appeared to acknowledge that he accepted funds from individuals, which may weaken his legal defense.
“I guess Senator Marcoleta and his legal team thought they were being smart by being technical about when these contributions were made," Lacson said in his speech.
“Pero ang nakakatawa Mr. President ay, wala nang mas lilinaw sa sariling pag-amin ni Senator Marcoleta - tumanggap siya ng pera para magkaroon siya ng utang na loob sa mga taong iyon - isang maliwanag na Admission against Interest, ang sabi nga ng mga abogado,” he added.
Lacson said the situation could fall under indirect bribery as defined in Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, which prohibits public officials from accepting gifts or benefits “by reason of their office.”
“Bilang isang abogado, dapat alam ni Sen. Marcoleta na dahil dito ay shoot siya sa balde sa kasong indirect bribery under Article 211 ng Revised Penal Code dahil member siya ng House of Representatives nang panahon na iyon,” Lacson said.
“Maliwanag sa batas na krimen sa mga public officials na tumanggap ng pera o gift by reason of their office kahit walang pangako na particular act or omission sa nagbigay ng pera,” he added.
Marcoleta served as the representative of the SAGIP Party-list in the House of Representatives from 2016 to 2025.
According to Lacson, Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code imposes penalties of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods, suspension from public office, and public censure on officials found guilty of indirect bribery.
Lacson also noted that after the Commission on Elections issued a show cause order to Marcoleta, the senator attempted to retract his earlier statements by claiming the contributions were received before he was considered a candidate under the definition set by a Supreme Court ruling.
“Bakit nga ba hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin inilalabas ng Comelec ang resolution ng SOCE case ni Senator Marcoleta?” Lacson asked.
