MANILA, Philippines — Senator Rodante Marcoleta has yet to issue a fresh statement following the Office of the Ombudsman's filing of a plunder case and other criminal charges against him before the Sandiganbayan.
His office said the senator has "nothing new to say," adding that his position on the matter had already been expressed during his speech at the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) National Rally.
In that speech, Marcoleta said he was prepared to face arrest if necessary.
"I am ready to go to jail if I have to be arrested, no problem. If this is the payment I am asking for to defend justice, national welfare, and the interests of the Filipino people," he said.
Marcoleta denied the allegations against him and maintained that the case filed by the Ombudsman was politically motivated.
He argued that the accusations relate to campaign assistance he received from private individuals and not to corruption or the misuse of public funds.
"What they are accusing me of is campaign aid so that I can win as a senator. Friends who are private and with their own money helped me in case I win—and I did win," he said.
The senator also questioned why he was being charged instead of those he claimed were responsible for the alleged misuse of public funds.
