MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor on Wednesday pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan to alleged bribery charges under Presidential Decree 46. PD 46 bars government officials and employees from directly or indirectly receiving gifts, presents, or other valuable items from private individuals in connection with their official functions. Marcoleta and Defensor, through respective counsels, entered their plea during their arraignment before the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division.
Chairman Associate Justice Frederick Musngi asked both accused whether they fully understood the nature of the charges against them. Marcoleta and Defensor each answered in the affirmative before entering pleas of not guilty.
Musngi also noted that neither accused had filed a motion to consolidate the case with any of the other cases pending before different Sandiganbayan divisions.
The anti-graft court then set the case for pretrial on Aug. 12, 2026 during which the parties were expected to identify the issues, mark evidence, and discuss matters that will streamline the trial.
State prosecutors have filed three counts of violations of PD 46 against Marcoleta. Two other cases against the senator under the same law are separately pending before the Sandiganbayan's First and Third Divisions.
