Senator Marcoleta personally asked for P75-million donation, Ombudsman witness tells court

Senator Rodante Marcoleta personally solicited a P75-million campaign donation from businessman Aristotle Viray, an Office of the Ombudsman official testified before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday.

Field Investigation Bureau Director Maria Melinda Mananghaya-Henson delivered the testimony during a hearing on the bail petition for Marcoleta, Viray, former Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor, and Joseph Espiritu. The four face plunder charges over an allegedly concealed campaign contribution.

When asked by Sandiganbayan Third Division Chairperson Karl Miranda regarding Viray’s counter-affidavit, Henson responded, "It was accused Marcoleta who actually solicited [the donation]."

Henson also testified that Ebenezer Santos, an employee of Marcoleta, paid a portion of the donor’s tax tied to the P75-million contribution provided by Viray, Espiritu, and Defensor.

Highlighting signs of collusion, Henson pointed out that the Deeds of Donation were prepared and notarized in November 2025—ten months after the donation was executed in January. Ombudsman prosecutors noted that the donor’s tax was paid even later, in December 2025, which they argue points to intentional concealment.

The prosecution’s case relies heavily on Marcoleta’s shifting statements:

November 2025 (TV Interview): Marcoleta admitted receiving the P75 million from friends, explaining he omitted it from his campaign expenditure report because the donors requested anonymity.

Comelec Position Paper: Marcoleta later characterized the P75 million as his personal funds.

These conflicting accounts prompted the Ombudsman’s investigation and subsequent criminal charges, though the Commission on Elections (Comelec) halted its separate inquiry after receiving Marcoleta’s position paper.