Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday said he would continue pursuing allegations of irregularities in flood control projects even if authorities arrest and detain him, following legal complaints filed against him and a court-issued travel restriction.
In a video message released after a gathering of individuals described as former associates of former lawmaker Zaldy Co, Marcoleta said an arrest warrant could be issued against him in the coming days as investigations into separate legal complaints proceed.
“It is possible that one day, we do not know whether today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, a warrant of arrest may be served on me so that I may be arrested,” Marcoleta said in Filipino.
“But please do not worry. Even if they arrest and imprison me, I will not stop,” he added.
Marcoleta said the testimonies presented during Tuesday’s gathering were originally intended to be heard during what he described as the final hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s inquiry into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
According to Marcoleta, the scheduled June 11 hearing did not proceed because of a reported security threat at the Senate. Participants instead presented their allegations in a separate public gathering.
The event took place after Senate leadership changes on June 3, which resulted in Sen. Erwin Tulfo assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Marcoleta also claimed that legal cases had been filed against him because of his involvement in raising issues related to the flood control projects.
“And because of that, many people became angry with me, and I was even charged with cases that are all fabricated,” he said.
His remarks came after the Sandiganbayan issued a precautionary hold departure order against him, former Quezon City representative Mike Defensor, Aristotle Baluyut Viray, and Joseph Varias Espiritu.
The order is connected to plunder and indirect bribery complaints involving alleged campaign donations amounting to P75 million.
The Office of the Ombudsman earlier recommended the filing of plunder and indirect bribery charges against the respondents. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the evidence against Marcoleta included the senator’s own public statements regarding campaign contributions he received during the 2025 elections.
Marcoleta has denied the allegations and previously described the complaints as an effort to “punish dissent.”
