The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday dismissed Sen. Rodante Marcoleta's claim that the impending plunder case against him was driven by politics and selective justice, saying such arguments are commonly raised by public officials facing criminal complaints.

Speaking as thousands of protesters gathered at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City to oppose the planned filing of charges against Marcoleta, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the case was built solely on evidence gathered during the investigation.

Clavano said public officials, including senators and local government officials, frequently claim they are being persecuted whenever complaints are filed against them.

"The facts will speak for themselves. And I think when you read the case, and you listen to the admissions, and you listen to the interviews, you will see that the case is quite clear-cut," he said.

"It's hard to see where Sen. Marcoleta is coming from since the case itself, the evidence used by our investigators came from him," Clavano added.

The remarks came as an estimated 12,000 members of the Iglesia ni Cristo gathered in support of Marcoleta, arguing that the Ombudsman's move was politically motivated because the senator has been among the lawmakers pushing for an investigation into the alleged flood control anomalies.

In a video statement, Marcoleta denied the allegations and claimed the case was intended to silence him.

He also suggested that his alliance with Vice President Sara Duterte and the upcoming impeachment trial against her were factors behind the Ombudsman's decision to pursue charges.

"My only fault is that I chose to serve you, if that can be called a sin. To face them with courage so that you may know the truth," Marcoleta said.

"But if they arrest me, that won't continue. They think that it would be forgotten," he added.

Basis for the case

The case stems from Marcoleta's alleged receipt of P75 million in gifts while he was serving as a member of the House of Representatives in early 2025.

The alleged donors were former congressman Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray.

The matter was initially referred to the Commission on Elections, which found that the donations could not be prosecuted as election offenses because they were made outside the campaign period.

Clavano, however, said the Ombudsman is pursuing the case under provisions of the anti-plunder law, which prohibit public officials from accepting gifts from private individuals under certain circumstances, regardless of whether the funds came from government sources.

He also cited Marcoleta's alleged failure to declare the funds in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Monday, 29 June, that plunder charges against Marcoleta would be filed before the Sandiganbayan within the week.