Marcoleta arrested in P75-M plunder case

This is a developing story. 

MANILA, Philippines (4th update, 1:13 p.m.) — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was arrested on Monday, July 6, shortly after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a P75-million plunder case.

Marcoleta's lawyer said the senator submitted himself voluntarily to the anti-graft court as an "act of good faith." The senator was seen at the Sandiganbayan to process his return of warrant.

He called Marcoleta's arrest a "surrender to the jurisdiction of the court."

Shortly after processing his return of warrant, Marcoleta told reporters at the Sandiganbayan that he had shown up at the anti-graft court prepared to be arrested, as he had no intention of hiding. 

Marcoleta said that he went to the court today after learning it had immediately calendared his twin motions to quash the plunder case and to defer the issuance of an arrest warrant. He praised the court's swift action as a positive sign that "the rule of law prevails."  

"My purpose in coming here is that if they serve the warrant of arrest, I will accept it," the senator said in mixed English and Filipino. 

When asked by reporters on whether his appearance constituted a formal surrender or an arrest, the senator remarked only that he had anticipated "all possibilities." 

He added that his legal team is fully prepared to counter the indictment.

Asked for a message to the Iglesia ni Cristo — the group that mounted days of rallies in his defense — Marcoleta stepped away from reporters and turned his back without answering. 

Marcoleta and the three others charged in connection with the P75 million donation, specifically former lawmaker Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray, are set to be held at the Payatas City Jail. 

Police have already arrested Defensor and Espiritu as of Monday noon.  

Arrest amid impeachment

The senator is expected to be detained ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, set on Monday afternoon at the Senate. Plunder is a non-bailable offense.

Sandiganbayan 3rd Division Associate Justice Karl Miranda announced the issuance of the warrant on Monday morning, July 6, after the court denied Marcoleta's bid to delay the warrant and suspend proceedings in the case.

Marcoleta, a senator-judge in the Duterte's trial and a staunch ally of the vice president, is facing a plunder case over P75 million he allegedly received during the 2025 election period.

The case stems from alleged donations that Marcoleta received but did not declare in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures.

The P75 million was allegedly funneled to Marcoleta by former lawmaker Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray within a four-day period in January 2025. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said charges would be filed against Marcoleta, Defensor and others in connection with the alleged transaction.

After Remulla's announcement on the charges on June 30, Iglesia ni Cristo members held two-day protest on EDSA People Power Monument in support of Marcoleta—one of its prominent members—and against what they called selective justice.

The protest later moved to Manila and ended on July 3.

Marcoleta has denied wrongdoing and has described the case against him as fabricated. — with report from Janelle Liong