A Philippine anti-graft court has ordered the arrest of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, a key ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, just hours before the country’s Senate begins a crucial impeachment trial that could shape the nation’s political future.
Marcoleta, who was expected to serve as one of the senator-judges during Duterte’s impeachment proceedings on Monday, now faces a plunder charge linked to alleged campaign financing offences.
The high-profile trial will determine whether Duterte remains eligible to contest the 2028 presidential election, where she is widely regarded as one of the leading contenders to succeed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
If two-thirds of the 24-member Senate vote to convict her, Duterte would be disqualified from holding public office, effectively ending her presidential ambitions.
The arrest warrant was issued after the Office of the Ombudsman accused Marcoleta of allegedly accepting 75 million pesos (around US$1.2 million) from private donors during his 2025 Senate election campaign, an act authorities claim breached the country’s anti-corruption laws.
In addition to the arrest order, the court also imposed a hold departure order, preventing the senator from leaving the Philippines while legal proceedings continue.
In a statement issued last week, the Ombudsman’s office stressed that public officials must remain accountable to the people rather than private benefactors.
The move against Marcoleta has already sparked political tension across the country. Last week, supporters from a religious organisation with an estimated two million members staged large-scale protests in Manila, causing severe traffic congestion and forcing President Marcos to cancel several engagements outside the presidential palace.
Marcoleta’s office has yet to issue an official response following the court’s latest decision. However, the senator previously told supporters that he was prepared to face imprisonment if necessary.
The case comes just weeks after another prominent lawmaker, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, was detained on separate plunder charges over allegations of receiving kickbacks from government infrastructure projects.
The impeachment trial against Sara Duterte is expected to be one of the most closely watched political events in the Philippines, with significant implications for the country’s leadership ahead of the next presidential election.
