The Sandiganbayan has ordered the consolidation of plunder and corruption cases filed against Senator Rodante Marcoleta and his co-accused.

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division resolved to consolidate the case involving violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, or the prohibition against receiving gifts by public officials, with the plunder case currently pending before the Third Division against Senator Marcoleta, former Congressman Mike Defensor, Joseph Varias Espiritu, and Aristotle Viray.

In explaining the basis for consolidating the two cases, the court pointed to their shared origin and the overlapping evidence involved.

"Ang dalawang kaso ay nag-ugat sa parehong mga pangyayari, sangkot ang parehong mga partido, at mangangailangan ng parehong mga saksi at dokumentaryong ebidensya sa paglilitis."

(The two cases arose from the same set of circumstances, involve the same parties, and will require the same witnesses and documentary evidence during trial.)

The anti-graft court further noted that merging the proceedings would help avoid conflicting outcomes.

"Makatutulong ito sa mabilis na pagpapasya at makakaiwas sa magkakasalungat na desisyon."

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