Marcoleta pleads not guilty in 2nd ‘gift’ raps with Defensor

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor on Wednesday pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan to charges of violating Presidential Decree (PD) No. 46, which bars government officials from accepting gifts. An arraignment marks the formal start of criminal trial proceedings, requiring the accused to appear in court, where the charges