The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced it will not revive the inquiry into campaign donations linked to Senator Rodante Marcoleta, dismissing concerns that arose following allegations of improper financing.
Background of the Case
The decision comes after the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon filed plunder and bribery complaints against Marcoleta, alleging he received P75 million in donations.
With regard to the revival of the case, the Comelec has not thought of it yet. The poll body did not receive any Motion for Reconsideration regarding the case.
George Erwin Garcia, Comelec Chairperson
- The investigation was initially dismissed in March 2026 by the Comelec en banc.
- Marcoleta claimed his high campaign expenditures were due to undisclosed anonymous contributions.
Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia confirmed that the agency is open to cooperating with the Ombudsman, yet emphasized they have not received any requests to revisit the case.
The Political Finance Department (PFAD) had previously investigated Marcoleta's financial disclosures after he publicly discussed discrepancies in his campaign expenditures.
While the Comelec acknowledged that nondisclosure of certain contributions can constitute an election offense, it noted that legal provisions under Republic Act No. 7166 limit such classifications.
The Ombudsman has also directed Marcoleta and his donors, Michael Tan Defensor, Joseph Varias Espiritu, and Aristotle Baluyut Viray, to submit counter-affidavits regarding the allegations.