Sandiganbayan issues warrant for plunder vs Marcoleta

This is a developing story. 

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 9:47 a.m.) — The Sandiganbayan has issued a warrant of arrest against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta after denying his camp's bid to delay the warrant and suspend proceedings in the P75-million plunder case filed against him.

The anti-graft court's 3rd Division denied the motion filed by Marcoleta seeking to defer the issuance of the arrest warrant and suspend proceedings in connection with the case.

Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Karl Miranda announced the issuance of the warrant on Monday morning, June 6.

Marcoleta, a senator-judge in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and a staunch Duterte ally, 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.