Politics · Philippines Bureau
Sandiganbayan suspends Philippine senator Marcoleta for 90 days
The Sandiganbayan Third Division has suspended Sen. Rodante Marcoleta from his legislative duties for three months as he faces plunder charges related to an alleged P75-million donation received during his tenure as a party-list representative.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday imposed a 90-day suspension on Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, effectively removing him from his duties in the Senate while he contests plunder allegations.
Marcoleta stands accused of illegally receiving a P75-million donation while serving as a party-list lawmaker. The antigraft court's decision to suspend the senator marks a significant development in the high-profile case involving one of the chamber's members.
The suspension order temporarily bars Marcoleta from performing his functions as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines. The measure comes as the plunder case against him continues to proceed through the courts.
The case has drawn attention to questions of accountability among lawmakers and the handling of campaign contributions and donations by members of Congress. Marcoleta's suspension underscores the judiciary's role in investigating allegations of impropriety involving sitting legislators.
The senator is expected to challenge the suspension order through available legal remedies while the underlying plunder case proceeds to trial.