Comelec IT officer authenticates documents in Marcoleta gift-ban trial

MANILA — A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official took the witness stand before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division on Wednesday to authenticate documents tied to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s P75 million in donations, including his verified position paper.

Manuel Odilon Fortes, an information technology officer at the Comelec Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD), was presented by the prosecution in the trial of Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor for alleged violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts.

Prosecutors earlier said Marcoleta stated in the position paper that the funds became part of his personal funds.

PFAD Attorney III Victoria Besinio previously testified that copies of the donor’s tax payments were also attached to this position paper. She argued this showed the money was not a campaign contribution, since campaign contributions are exempt from donor’s tax.

However, the defense maintained that the funds were campaign donations in questioning the Sandiganbayan’s jurisdiction over the case.

Fortes also authenticated other Comelec documents, including a show-cause order issued against Marcoleta after he said on his television show that “friends,” who asked not to be named, had donated money to support his candidacy.