PRESS STATEMENT
16 September 2026
In re: Manila Times article on alleged Marcoleta Donors
(https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/09/16/news/national/ombudsman-witness-admits-no-evidence-marcoleta-donors-met-communicated/2426020)
Ombudsman urges responsible reporting on evidence regarding alleged Marcoleta donors
The Office of the Ombudsman urges members of the media to exercise fairness in reporting the ongoing proceedings before the Sandiganbayan regarding the P75-million plunder case involving Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
Presenting isolated portions of testimony without the full context may create a misleading impression of the evidence before the Court.
The Office strongly disputes a news report by The Manila Times concerning the Sandiganbayan proceedings in connection with the said case.
The concerned news article, published on September 16, referenced Monday’s hearing and wrongly presented the testimony of Luzon Field Investigation Bureau Director Maria Melinda Mananghaya-Henson, saying that she admitted that the office found “no evidence that the three businessmen accused of giving Sen. Rodante Marcoleta P75 million had met or communicated with one another”.
Part of the testimony cited in the article pertains only to specific questions on whether there was evidence that the three alleged donors had personally met or communicated with one another.
Let us be very clear, there is very strong evidence on record which warranted the filing of the case.
The ongoing hearings should be allowed to proceed without isolated portions of testimony being portrayed as determinative of the entire case.
Court proceedings must be understood in its entirety and parts of it cannot just be taken and twisted into a different narrative.
The Office of the Ombudsman respects the vital role of a free and independent press in informing the public.
However, that role comes with the responsibility to report accurately, fairly and with appropriate context, especially in cases of significant public interest.
Journalists are expected to uphold and protect the truth at all times. The truth must never be compromised.
Ultimately, it is the Sandiganbayan—not any party to the case, nor any headline—that will determine the weight and sufficiency of the evidence presented before it.#
