Marcoleta declines to plead; court enters not guilty plea in gift case
The Philippine Sandiganbayan court entered a not guilty plea for Senator Rodante Marcoleta after he refused to enter a plea regarding charges of receiving illegal gifts. Marcoleta's legal team is currently challenging the Ombudsman's resolution in the Supreme Court.
Why it matters
The case involves high-level political accountability and the legal processes surrounding allegations of corruption and undeclared campaign contributions in the Philippines.
MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan entered a not guilty plea for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Monday, August 3, after the lawmaker declined to plead to a charge under Presidential Decree 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts.
The anti-graft court's First Division entered the plea during Marcoleta's arraignment.
Marcoleta's co-accused, Aristotle Viray, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In an interview with reporters, Marcoleta's lawyer, Moises Tolentino Jr., said the senator did not enter a plea before the anti-graft court because he has a pending petition before the Supreme Court questioning the Ombudsman's resolution in the case.
"First action that we did was a motion to quash. This was not granted, so we have to appeal for another legal remedy that is open to us," Tolentino said.
On July 22, Marcoleta and his co-accused Joseph Espiritu pleaded not guilty to plunder before the anti-graft court's Third Division.
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