Manila: The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday requested the Sandiganbayan to issue a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, former congressman Michael Defensor, and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray. This move comes after the four were implicated in charges related to plunder, indirect bribery, and a violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits gift-giving to public officials.

According to Philippines News Agency, a verified ex parte application was submitted for the issuance of the PHDO. The anti-graft court's Seventh Division is scheduled to conduct the PHDO hearing on Tuesday. The charges against Marcoleta and his associates have drawn significant attention, primarily due to the serious nature of the allegations.

The Commission on Elections previously conducted an investigation into the campaign donations allegedly received by Marcoleta. It was alleged that he failed to disclose these donations, amounting to PHP75 million, in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures in January 2025.