Malacañang on Saturday said the situation involving Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is different from that of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. when he ran for office, rejecting comparisons raised in a social media post by former congressman Mike Defensor regarding campaign donations.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the circumstances surrounding the two officials are not the same, particularly in terms of their status at the time and their compliance with disclosure requirements.

“Naisip ba niya at the time tumakbo ang Pangulong Marcos Jr., siya ay pribado, private citizen,” Castro told reporters.

“Iba naman po ang sitwasyon ni Rodante Marcoleta. At that time siya ay congressman.”

Castro was responding to Defensor’s claim that if campaign donations are being used as the basis for a plunder case against Marcoleta, then donations received during Marcos’ presidential campaign — including those from individuals later appointed to government posts — should also be scrutinized.

Defensor further described the issue as “selective justice.”

The Palace, however, maintained that Marcoleta’s case involves alleged non-disclosure of funds.

“Si Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, hindi niya dineclare ang sinasabing pondo, ang P75M ay hindi nakita sa SALN at hindi rin nakita sa SOSE,” Castro said.

She contrasted this with Marcos’ filings, saying the president “fully reported” his campaign finances in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

Castro also cited Marcoleta’s earlier remarks in a program where he allegedly admitted withholding the identities of donors, raising questions about the number of contributors and the nature of the funds.

“Kung hindi ito uminit at hindi ito na-issue, yung ₱75M ay hindi niyo makikita kung saang record,” she said.

The Palace reiterated that the two cases should not be compared, emphasizing differences in both the officials’ positions at the time and the handling and disclosure of campaign-related funds.