Marcoleta arrested for plunder over P75 million in campaign donations

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta surrendered and was placed under arrest, hours before sitting as a senator-judge in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. The Sandiganbayan found probable cause to put Marcoleta on trial for a non-bailable plunder charge involving P75 million in illegal campaign donations. Police arrested Marcoleta yesterday after the anti-graft court’s 3rd Division denied his motions to suspend the proceedings and delay the arrest warrant’s implementation. Marcoleta, 72, was later brought to the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital at Camp Crame after complaining of chest pains. Two of his co-accused, former lawmaker Michael Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu, were arrested yesterday at a coffee shop in Quezon City, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. Businessman Aristotle Viray remains unaccounted for. Police are pursuing him. Third Division chairman Associate Justice Karl Miranda said Marcoleta will be detained at the New Quezon City Jail – the same facility housing Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former senator Ramon Revilla Jr., both of whom are facing charges in the flood control controversy. Defensor and Espiritu were brought to the New Quezon City Jail. Based on Marcoleta’s public admission, Defensor, Espiritu and Viray donated P30 million, P20 million and P25 million, respectively, for his senatorial bid in the 2025 midterm elections. Public officials are guilty of plunder if they amass at least P50 million in ill-gotten wealth alone or in connivance with family members, business associates or other people, as well as private persons who participate in the scheme as co-conspirators, the Department of Justice pointed out. In an ambush interview before his arrest, Marcoleta maintained his innocence and expressed his readiness to face the judicial process. Miranda emphasized that the issuance of an arrest warrant merely signifies the existence of probable cause, not a conviction. Amid the political atmosphere surrounding the case, Miranda reminded all parties and the public that the Sandiganbayan will not be swayed by external pressure. Addressing Iglesia ni Cristo zealots defending fellow INC member Marcoleta, Miranda said: “We see you, we hear you, we understand you. We understand your calls for those guilty to be held accountable.” “The court is ready and waiting for whatever case the ombudsman will file against whoever,” he said. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said contingency measures are in place to prevent a repeat of last week’s INC rallies, which caused traffic gridlock along EDSA. Malacañang, reacting to Defensor’s claim that he and Marcoleta were sent to jail before the “true thieves of state coffers,” said they should have provided concrete evidence supporting their allegations instead of just facing the media. — Alexis Romero, Ghio Ong, Diana Lhyd Suelto