Senator Rodante Marcoleta is arrested and ordered detained following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest in a plunder case filed before the Sandiganbayan Third Division. The court also issued the arrest warrant against former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor and two private individuals, Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu, in connection with allegations involving P75 million in campaign donations received by Marcoleta while he was a sitting party-list lawmaker, which prosecutors say are not allowed under the law.
On Monday, Marcoleta arrives at the Sandiganbayan shortly before the court issues the warrant. He had previously appeared to seek dismissal of the case and to stop the warrant’s implementation through three motions, including requests to suspend proceedings. The court denies the motions, and Marcoleta submits to the court’s authority.
Associate Justice Karl Miranda announces that Marcoleta is to be detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas because the plunder charge is non-bailable. Earlier, Viray is brought to court after being cleared by the police hospital following his arrest. The Sandiganbayan sets Marcoleta’s arraignment for July 10 at 8:30 a.m., marking the formal start of trial proceedings.
