The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is considering coordinating with the Office of the Ombudsman regarding a controversial P75-million donation received by then senatorial candidate Rodante Marcoleta.

This comes after Comelec dismissed its motu proprio investigation into the matter, which was initially flagged due to the alleged failure to declare the donation in Marcoleta’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia clarified that the poll body has not received any motion for reconsideration that could reopen the closed investigation.

Despite the dismissal, Garcia said Comelec is still open to further action, including possible coordination with the Ombudsman, where a separate complaint has already been filed.

The Ombudsman complaint raises questions on whether the same donation was properly declared in Marcoleta’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), which is a requirement separate from election-related disclosure rules.This means the issue may be examined under both electoral and public accountability frameworks.

Marcoleta has earlier stated that the donation was received before the official campaign period began, implying it may not fall under election expenditure reporting requirements.

The complaint also identified three individuals as alleged sources of the donation: former congressman Mike Defensor, Joseph Espiritu, and Aristotle Baluyot.Defensor has publicly questioned allegations of plunder, pointing out that no government funds are involved in the donation.Comelec has sought comments from Marcoleta and the individuals named, but as of reporting, no responses have been formally received.

The case remains under potential review by multiple government bodies as questions persist regarding disclosure compliance and the proper reporting of large political donations.