Marcoleta pretrial delayed

MANILA, Philippines — Monsoon rains prompted the Sandiganbayan to defer the pretrial hearing for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta in his plunder case.

Yesterday’s proceedings were rescheduled for Friday.

Marcoleta and businessman Joseph had pleaded not guilty to plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan Third Division.

The senator had publicly admitted to not declaring P75 million in donations from Espiritu and two others for his campaign in the 2025 midterm elections.

Aside from plunder, Marcoleta and his co-accused were charged with violating the law banning officials from accepting gifts.

Meanwhile, the anti-graft court’s Third Division has summoned former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan to testify in former senator Ramon Revilla Jr.’s trial for malversation.

Bonoan is still confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court yesterday implemented work-from-home arrangements due to inclement weather.