‘Marcoleta SALN complaint complicates Comelec probe’

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said that a complaint referred by the Office of the Ombudsman has caused a “slight complication” in the poll body’s handling of issues involving Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

Comelec Chairman George  Garcia said the poll body’s Political Finance and Affairs Department had already completed its fact-finding probe on the latter and is preparing a recommendation.

However, a separate complaint filed before the Comelec Law Department has raised procedural questions on how the case would be handled.

“I just want to clarify: the case that is being investigated against Senator Marcoleta is not only a factual issue, but also a legal issue,” Garcia told reporters.

According to Garcia, Marcoleta admitted receiving a donation after filing his certificate of candidacy in October 2024. However, the senator argued that he should not be held liable because he was not yet considered a candidate when the donation was given.

Garcia said the commission is currently reviewing affidavits and documents submitted in the case, including the dates of the alleged donations.

However, the process became complicated when the Office of the Ombudsman referred to Comelec a complaint involving Marcoleta’s SOCE and his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

Garcia explained that the poll body only has jurisdiction over the SOCE issue, while matters involving SALN are handled by the ombudsman.