Sandigan to Marcoleta: Explain why you shouldn’t be suspended

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division ordered detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to explain why he should not be suspended from the Senate.

In a two-page order issued on July 22, the lawmaker’s camp was given “a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice” to submit his explanation.

The order followed Section 5 of Republic Act 7080 or the Anti-Plunder Act, as well as the Sandiganbayan’s revised internal rules.

On the same day that the order was issued, Marcoleta pleaded not guilty to the charges of plunder and violation of Presidential Decree 46 that prohibits public officials from receiving gifts.

Also entering his not guilty plea was his co-accused Joseph Espiritu, who reportedly gave the lawmaker P20 million out of the total P75 million worth of campaign donations.

Marcoleta’s camp decided to withdraw his motion to quash the plunder charge, thus his arraignment proceeded.

In June, the Sandiganbayan’s Second Division imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on Sen. Jinggoy Estrada – who is held at the New Quezon City Jail – due to one of his two graft cases linked to the flood control scandal.

Both Marcoleta and Estrada took their oaths in May as judges in the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.