MANILA — Philippine Senator Rodante Marcoleta surrendered to authorities on Monday after the Sandiganbayan, the country's anti-graft court, issued a warrant for his arrest in a non-bailable plunder case linked to alleged undeclared campaign donations, according to court officials and the Philippine National Police.
Marcoleta, an ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, appeared voluntarily at the Sandiganbayan with his lawyers to pursue motions seeking to quash the charges and defer the issuance of an arrest warrant. After the court denied those motions and found probable cause to proceed with the case, police served the warrant inside the court premises and took him into custody.
The Office of the Ombudsman accused Marcoleta of receiving 75 million pesos (about $1.2 million) in campaign contributions during the 2025 senatorial election that were allegedly not properly declared. Prosecutors charged him with plunder, an offense that carries no right to bail under Philippine law. The Sandiganbayan also issued a hold departure order preventing him from leaving the country while proceedings continue.
Speaking before his arrest, Marcoleta said he had no intention of evading the legal process and was prepared to accept the court's jurisdiction. His legal team has denied the allegations and said they intend to challenge the charges through judicial proceedings.
The Ombudsman's case also names former congressman Mike Defensor and two businessmen as co-accused in connection with the alleged campaign donations. Authorities confirmed that arrests were carried out against the other respondents as court orders were implemented.
Marcoleta's detention came hours before the Philippine Senate opened the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, in which he had been expected to participate as a senator-judge. His arrest follows the detention last month of Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada on separate plunder charges, adding to a series of high-profile corruption cases involving members of the Senate.
The allegations against Marcoleta stem from an investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman into campaign financing during the 2025 elections. Prosecutors maintain the evidence supports a plunder charge, while Marcoleta has rejected the accusations and characterized the case as unfounded. The court has not ruled on the merits of the allegations, and the senator remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with Philippine law.
As of Monday, Marcoleta remained in police custody pending further proceedings before the Sandiganbayan.
