VANCOUVER, Canada — Malacañang has firmly rejected attempts to compare the campaign finance records of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with the plunder case filed against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, insisting that the two situations are fundamentally different because the President fully disclosed his campaign contributions.
The Palace issued the clarification after former Quezon City Representative Mike Defensor questioned the plunder charges against Marcoleta and challenged authorities to also scrutinize campaign donors who contributed to Marcos’ successful 2022 presidential bid and were later appointed to government posts.
In a Facebook post, Defensor argued that if campaign donations are now being used as grounds for criminal prosecution, then similar standards should be applied across the board.
He claimed that failing to investigate donors linked to the President while pursuing charges against Marcoleta would amount to selective justice.
Palace cites complete reporting
Responding to the allegations during a press briefing in Vancouver, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed the comparison, stressing that Marcos and Marcoleta faced entirely different circumstances during their respective campaigns.
Castro pointed out that Marcos was a private citizen when he sought the presidency in 2022 and that all campaign contributions were properly declared in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
She contrasted this with Marcoleta’s case, noting that the senator was still serving as a congressman during the 2025 elections and had publicly admitted that he did not disclose ₱75 million in campaign contributions from Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray because the donors allegedly wanted to remain anonymous.
According to Castro, the omission of the funds from both Marcoleta’s SOCE and Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) distinguishes the case from that of the President.
She added that had the issue not surfaced publicly, the source and disposition of the ₱75 million would not have appeared in official records.
Palace raises donor’s tax issue
The Palace also questioned Defensor regarding the donor’s tax linked to the campaign contributions.
Castro asked whether the tax had been paid promptly or only after public scrutiny intensified over the alleged undeclared funds.
She maintained that these unresolved questions further separate Marcoleta’s situation from that of President Marcos, whose campaign disclosures, she said, complied with reporting requirements.
No executive interference in Marcoleta case
Amid accusations of political bias, Malacañang reiterated that the Executive Branch will not interfere with the legal proceedings against Marcoleta.
Castro said the President respects the independence of the judiciary and that the case should be decided solely on the strength of the evidence presented before the courts.
She emphasized that the complaint has only been filed before the Sandiganbayan and urged the public not to cast doubt on the country’s justice system before the judicial process runs its course.
“If Senator Marcoleta has strong evidence in his favor, he will have the opportunity to present it in court,” Castro said, adding that there would be no pressure or influence from the Executive.
Palace dismisses fears of protest
Malacañang also downplayed concerns that a possible arrest warrant against Marcoleta could trigger another large-scale protest similar to previous demonstrations involving members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).
Castro said the government has no indication that another “surprise rally” is being planned and expressed confidence that groups will allow legal institutions to perform their duties without interference.
She further said she does not believe the INC intends to pressure government agencies or the courts, while warning any individual or organization against attempting to influence ongoing investigations or judicial proceedings.
“The government, investigating agencies, and the courts will continue to do their jobs and ensure that anyone found responsible for anomalies is held accountable,” Castro said.