Ombudsman moves to bar Marcoleta, Defensor from leaving Philippines
by Ian Laqui · philstarMANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has asked the Sandiganbayan to bar Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, former lawmaker Mike Defensor and two others from leaving the country over alleged plunder and bribery findings tied to supposed campaign donations for Marcoleta.
The Ombudsman filed the request for a precautionary hold departure order before the Sandiganbayan 7th Division on Monday, May 25.
A precautionary HDO temporarily prevents a person under criminal investigation from leaving the Philippines while a case is still being evaluated, even before charges are filed in court.
Aside from Marcoleta and Defensor, the Ombudsman also sought a PHDO against Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray.
In a complaint-affidavit dated May 18, Ombudsman field investigators recommended the indictment of Marcoleta, Defensor, Espiritu and Viray for plunder under Republic Act 7080 and for violating Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts.
Investigators also recommended that Marcoleta be charged with indirect bribery.
The complaint stemmed from an earlier Commission on Elections investigation into Marcoleta's alleged failure to disclose campaign donations in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures.
Ombudsman investigators alleged that Marcoleta received a total of P75 million in donations from Defensor, Espiritu and Viray over a four-day period in January 2025.
The amount exceeds the P50-million threshold under the plunder law, according to investigators.