THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to require Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to explain the non-declaration of his donors in his submitted statement of contributions and expenditures (Soce) for the 2025 midterm polls.
The poll body made the move in the wake of Marcoleta’ public admission that he intentionally left out the names of his campaign donors from his Soce ‘to honor their request for anonymity.’
The lawmaker’s Soce indicates that he spent a total of P112.8 million for his senatorial campaign-more than twice of his declared 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), which amounts to P51.9 million.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the show cause order against Marcoleta, to be issued next week, will give the senator a fair opportunity to explain his side.
‘To give the senator a proper venue to explain. It’s difficult when things are said on social media, people might claim we aren’t acting.This is necessary so we can formally ask for his explanation, since the SALN is already public and we also have a copy of the Soce,’ Garcia told reporters in an interview on Wednesday.
He clarified that the poll body is not initiating a motu proprio case, but wants to ensure transparency and allow Marcoleta to address the issue.
Under Section 99 of the Omnibus Election Code, all candidates are required to provide a detailed list of the donors and personal expenses incurred during their respective campaigns.
As far as the Comelec is concerned, Garcia said, no candidate is exempt from such rule.
‘Donations received during the campaign period must all be declared. Otherwise, what’s the point of taking an oath before us if some items will not be included?,’ he added.
Garcia said falsifying a Soce is an election offense punishable by one to six years imprisonment.
It may also constitute perjury and falsification of a public document, which carry heavier penalties