Philippine Senator Marcoleta Arrested for Plunder Ahead of Duterte Impeachment Trial

Philippine Senator Rodante Marcoleta was arrested Monday morning on plunder charges, just hours before the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte was set to begin. The arrest reshapes the composition of the impeachment court and impacts the pro-Duterte bloc.

Marcoleta faces charges for allegedly failing to declare 75 million pesos ($1.2 million) in unused election campaign funds. He also reportedly failed to declare this amount in his annual assets and net worth statements, as well as in his election contributions and expenditures reports. Plunder is a non-bailable offense in the Philippines.

The senator voluntarily went to the Sandiganbayan, an anti-corruption court, seeking to have the charges dropped. However, the court issued an arrest warrant in his presence, and authorities were waiting outside to apprehend him. Marcoleta's arrest follows that of fellow senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, who is facing kickback allegations related to flood control projects.

With Marcoleta and Estrada now in jail, and Senator Ronald dela Rosa reportedly in hiding, the number of pro-Duterte senators participating in the impeachment trial has dwindled to eight. This includes Senators Christopher "Bong" Go, Robinhood Padilla, Imee Marcos, Mark Villar, Camille Villar, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, and Loren Legarda. Observers suggest Marcoleta's absence will significantly weaken the pro-Duterte camp's legal and intellectual capacity during the trial, although their votes still count.