MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman will soon file a plunder complaint before the Sandiganbayan against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday.
Remulla said that the case was up for resolution.
"We're about to file it already," Remulla said.
He confirmed that former lawmaker Mike Defensor and several others will be included in the complaint.
Ombudsman field investigators filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against four people last May 18, alleging that "Marcoleta's acceptance of gifts with an aggregate amount of P75 million on three separate occasions constitute the crime of plunder."
"Aside from the lack of a clear purpose or pending transaction for which the amounts received may be a consideration, there is no showing that the gifts would still be given were it not for Respondent's position in government. Hence it cannot be denied that the P75 million was given by Respondents Defensor, [Joseph] Espiritu, and [Aristotle] Viray by reason of Respondent Marcoleta's office," the investigators said.
