MANILA, Philippines — Senator Rodante Marcoleta “surrendered” at the Sandiganbayan on July 6 due to his plunder case involving P75-million campaign donations he received when he was still congressman. Marcoleta personally appeared before the anti-graft court’s 3rd Division as his camp filed several motions, including a motion to quash the information charging him with plunder.
On July 8, the Sandiganbayan 4th Division issued warrant of arrest and a hold departure order against Marcoleta for alleged violation of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 46. Marcoleta remains under the custody of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group amid ongoing medical examination.
Meanwhile, the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte — the first Philippine public official to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives — began on July 6. Senator Chiz Escudero presided over the trial after a majority of senators elected him as presiding officer.
Lawyers allied with the Dutertes went to the Supreme Court to challenge the election of Escudero. The legal counsels, led by Israelito Torreon, filed a very urgent manifestation on July 6, raising concerns over Escudero’s election.
