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. Plunder is a non-bailable offense.
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 was brought to Camp Crame in Quezon City to undergo booking procedures. Afterwards, he will be transferred to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, according to Associate Justice Karl Miranda. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is also detained here on a plunder charge related to the flood control scandal.
Speaking to reporters at the Sandiganbayan, Marcoleta said he would face the plunder case and welcomed the swift calendaring of the hearing.
“Ngayon, napakagandang indikasyon yun na umiiral ang ating mga batas. So gusto kong magpasalamat sa Sandiganbayan dahil kinalendar nila kaagad for hearing. Yun ay makikita niyo, na kinakailangan ang proseso ng batas ay masunod,” he said on Monday.
“Ako ay hindi magtatago, haharapin ko ang batas, ang asunto, sang ayon sa pagkakaintindi ko sa mga batas natin. Kaya kailangan pong dumaan ng proseso, kasama na po yung pagpunta ko rito, yung hangarin ko na kung i-serve po nila yung warrant of arrest, tatanggapin ko po yun,” he added.
[Translation: This is a good indication that the law is working. I want to thank the Sandiganbayan for scheduling the hearing. You can see that the rule of law must be followed. I will not hide, I will face the law, the case, to the best of my understanding of the law. We need to follow the process, that includes my presence here, my objective is that if they serve the warrant of arrest, I will accept it.]
Marcoleta’s counsel said that the lawmaker surrendered as “an act of good faith.”
Meanwhile, Defensor, and their two co-accused were not at the graft court on Monday.
Defensor – who is also facing human trafficking charges filed by the National Bureau of Investigation – was dismayed at the development.
“Kami na lumalaban sa korapsyon ay nauna pang makulong sa isang kasong walang batayan,” he said in a video statement.
[Translation: Those of us fighting corruption were arrested first in a case without a foundation.]
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.
