Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday, March 11, said Senator Rodante Marcoleta may be liable for indirect bribery over undeclared campaign funds during last year’s senatorial elections.
In a privilege speech, Lacson said Marcoleta’s explanations about failing to disclose contributors in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) could be considered an admission against interest.
He noted that Marcoleta claimed the donations were received before he officially became a candidate, but stressed that Marcoleta was still a public official at the time as a representative of the SAGIP party-list in the House.
“Tumanggap siya ng pera para magkaroon siya ng utang na loob sa mga taong iyon — isang maliwanag na admission against interest,” Lacson said.
According to Lacson, accepting money by reason of one’s office may constitute indirect bribery under Article 211 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes public officials who accept gifts connected to their position.
He also questioned why the Commission on Elections has yet to release a resolution on Marcoleta’s SOCE case despite the controversy.IMT
