Marcoleta pleads not guilty to plunder, 1 of 3 ‘gift’ raps

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and his co-accused Joseph Espiritu on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to charges of plunder and violating a presidential decree that prohibits government officials from receiving, and private individuals from conferring, gifts. Arraignment marks the formal start of the criminal trial proceedings, requiring the accused to appear in court where the charges