Plunder case vs. Marcoleta based on merit, not politics --Clavano

The Ombudsman’s filing of charges against officials linked to corruption, including Senator Rodante Marcoleta, is based on merits, not politics.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano issued the statement as thousands of people, including Iglesia ni Cristo members, hold protest action along EDSA against the looming filing of a plunder case against Marcoleta over undeclared donations worth P75 million.

“What I saw in their placards…their battle cry is accountability and transparency. And if you saw the press conference of the Ombudsman in its entirety, he mentioned a lot of cases to be filed. There are congtractors (congressman contractors) who we have been investigating for quite a while. We understand the plight; we understand what they're fighting for, but we ourselves are fighting for the same things,” Clavano said in a press conference.

“When you read the case [on Marcoleta], and you listen to the admissions, and you listen to the interviews, you will see that the case is quite clear-cut. Kaya, it's hard to see kung saan po nangagaling si Senator Marcoleta dito dahil ‘yung kaso…iyong ebidensiya mismo na ginamit ng aking mga investigator ay nanggaling rin po sa kanya,” he added.

Marcoleta said in media interviews that he received P75 million worth of campaign donations but did not declare them in his Statement of Campaign Expenditures (SOCE).

(It is hard to see where Senator Marcoleta is coming from because the evidence used by the investigators came from his own admission.)

Clavano said it was also later learned that Marcoleta also did not disclose the P75 million in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

“From the admissions of Senator Marcoleta, he received the P75 million. But he did not declare it in his SALN or SOCE. Besides, the law prohibits all public officials from accepting such a huge amount of gift except if it is a campaign donation. But then again, he did not declare it in his SOCE,” Clavano said.

Marcoleta earlier said that the Ombudsman’s filing of charges against him was an attempt by the Marcos administration to silence dissent.

"Ang kasalanan ko lamang po ay yung paglingkuran kayo, kung kasalanan pong matatawag yan. Na humarap sa kanila ng buong tapang para sa ganon ay malaman ninyo ang totoo," Marcoleta said.

(My only sin is to serve you, if that can be called a sin—to face them with all courage so that you may know the truth.)

"Ngunit kapag ako'y kanilang inaresto, hindi na po matutuloy 'yan. Akala po nila ay maililibing ito sa limot," Marcoleta added.

(But if they arrest me, that won't continue. They th