Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Rodante Marcoleta has been arrested on plunder charges in connection with the ₱75-million plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
On Monday, July 6, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued warrants of arrest and a Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) against Marcoleta, former congressman Mike Defensor, and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray.
The case stems from allegations that Marcoleta failed to declare ₱75 million in campaign donations from Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray received during the 2025 midterm senatorial elections.
Marcoleta was arrested shortly after the graft court issued the warrant. He will be transferred to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, according to Associate Justice Karl Miranda.
Meanwhile, Defensor, and their two co-accused were not at the graft court on Monday.
Plunder is a non-bailable offense.
The arrest comes on the same day as the start of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, where Marcoleta is slated to sit as a senator-judge.
After the ombudsman announced it would file plunder charges against Marcoleta, the embattled lawmaker said the move was an attempt to block him from participating in Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Last week, the Iglesia ni Cristo — in reaction to the looming plunger charges against Marcoleta — staged a three-day rally at the EDSA People Power Monument and the Liwasang Bonifacio to support the senator, who is a member of their church.
