Sandiganbayan consolidates trial on plunder, gift-giving cases vs Marcoleta, Espiritu

Sandiganbayan consolidates trial procedures on plunder-related and gift-giving prohibition cases involving Senatorial figure Marcoleta and co-accused, including former congressman Mike Defensor and Aristotle Viray. The court’s resolution reflected a finding that the gift-giving violation charge is accessory to the plunder crime. The underlying allegations trace to a ₱75-million campaign donation reportedly received by Marcoleta before the previous national elections. Questions were raised about why the amount was not disclosed in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), with earlier inquiries conducted at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Although COMELEC determined the donation could not be treated as an election offense because it was received before he formally declared candidacy, the Office of the Ombudsman pursued its own investigation and argued the exchange violated the anti-plunder law, drawing from Marcoleta’s statements on a live broadcast. With Third Division ordering consolidation, joint trials will be conducted, though related cases were raffled to the Fourth and First Divisions. Marcoleta has been detained at PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame since Monday, July 6, while co-accused remain at New Quezon City Jail.