The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the arrest of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor, and two business executives over a plunder case involving an unrevealed ₱75 million campaign contribution.
On Monday, Third Division Chairperson Justice Karl Miranda confirmed that the arrest warrants had been issued, following the formal filing of charges by the Office of the Ombudsman just two days prior. To ensure the accused remain in the country while the legal proceedings unfold, the anti-graft court also issued a precautionary hold departure order.
Upon their arrest, the defendants are slated to be held at the Quezon City Jail in Payatas.
Justice Miranda noted that the court established probable cause after a thorough review of the prosecution’s filings.
“Ni-review namin ang lahat ng dokumentong naisampa gabing gabi na noong Friday at hindi lang namin mailabas pa ang arrest warrant dahil weekend,” Miranda said.
The warrants were authorized after the Sandiganbayan rejected the separate motions submitted by Marcoleta and Defensor, which sought to dismiss the plunder case and halt the issuance of the arrest orders.
Marcoleta had personally appeared at the anti-graft court earlier that morning for a scheduled hearing regarding those weekend filings.
In their petitions, the high-profile politicians contended that the state’s allegations lacked legal merit and requested an immediate dismissal of the case.
The underlying plunder charges trace back to an investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman concerning the alleged mishandling of ₱75 million in campaign funds during the 2025 elections, which prosecutors claim Marcoleta failed to declare in his official campaign expenditure reports.