Philippine court orders Senator Rodante Marcoleta suspended for 90 days
The Sandiganbayan ordered the preventive suspension over pending plunder and gift cases. The 90-day period begins when Marcoleta receives the resolution.
The Philippines’ Sandiganbayan ordered Senator Rodante Marcoleta suspended from office for 90 days on October 19 as a plunder case involving alleged ₱75 million in donations proceeds. The preventive order removes him from Senate duties during the suspension; it does not decide whether he committed the alleged offenses.
The court’s Third Division said the order covers Marcoleta’s Senate seat and any other public office he holds. The 90-day period starts upon his receipt of the resolution and ends automatically after it expires. The reports do not establish when he received it, so the suspension’s end date is not yet clear.
Why the Sandiganbayan ordered the suspension
Justice Karl B. Miranda wrote the resolution, according to Rappler and DZRH. The court said that once it found the criminal charges formally valid, ordering preventive suspension was mandatory. It said it had no discretion to decide whether suspension was needed at that stage.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder case in July, Rappler reported. It concerns questions about ₱75 million in donations to Marcoleta. He also faces three counts under Presidential Decree No. 46 concerning the alleged receipt of gifts. Those allegations remain before the court, and the suspension is not a judgment of guilt.
Marcoleta has said he received the donations before the campaign period and omitted them from his campaign expense statement because he was not yet a candidate, according to Rappler. His explanation is part of the dispute over the payments, rather than a determination by the court that the charges are true or false.
What happens in Marcoleta’s cases
Daily Tribune reported that the court said Marcoleta’s arguments concerning freedom of expression, political participation and equal protection should be addressed during the trial. The court also said cases before the Commission on Elections and the Sandiganbayan may proceed independently because the two institutions handle distinct matters.
The court said the Senate could continue its work through its remaining members during the suspension, Daily Tribune reported. Its resolution described the chamber as a 24-member body and said the absence of one member would not prevent it from performing its functions.
Prosecutors rested their plunder case on October 12 after presenting seven witnesses across bail hearings and the trial, according to Daily Tribune. The report said Marcoleta’s lawyers were scheduled to begin presenting evidence on October 22. The criminal proceedings remain pending.
Read in depth: World
Singapore haze cuts trade at outdoor restaurants and earnings for buskers
Restaurants and performers describe fewer customers and shorter outdoor sessions as Singapore’s air quality remains unhealthy, according to CNA interviews and an official advisory.
Zelenskyy says no US warning before Russian strikes on Kyiv power plants
Ukraine's leader says partners gave no alert before a missile barrage that hit energy sites in 11 regions, while Washington denies any pause in intelligence sharing.
Sources and context
- Sandiganbayan suspends Marcoleta as senator over plunder caseRappler; reporting by Jairo Bolledo
- Sandiganbayan suspends Marcoleta for 90 days over ₱75-M plunder caseDZRH; reporting by Elijah Gaven Mitra
- Court Suspends Senator Marcoleta Over P75-Million Plunder CaseDaily Tribune
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.