Defensor, 2 other Marcoleta co-accused plead not guilty in plunder case

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MANILA, Philippines — The co-accused of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta have pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan to the plunder charges against them.

Former lawmaker Mike Defensor, Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray pleaded not guilty to plunder before the anti-graft court's Third Division on Wednesday, July 15.

Marcoleta has yet to be arraigned due to his pending motion to quash seeking the dismissal of his plunder case.

The plunder case stems from P75 million in campaign funds allegedly received by Marcoleta during the 2025 elections but not declared in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures.

The amount was allegedly funneled to Marcoleta by Defensor, Viray and Espiritu over four days in January 2025.

Meanwhile, Marcoleta, who was previously confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital, has been cleared of pneumonia based on his X-ray, Philippine General Hospital Director Gerardo Legaspi said.

His hypertension is now under control and can be managed on an outpatient basis, according to Legaspi.

With this, Marcoleta has been transferred to the New Quezon City Jail dormitory in Payatas, Quezon City.