MANIILA: Thousands of members of a powerful Philippine religious sect rallied in Manila on Tuesday, snarling traffic as they protested the expected arrest of a senator and church member. The rally came a day after authorities announced that Senator Rodante Marcoleta, a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) church and an ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, was set to be charged with graft tied to his election campaign fund.

The Sandiganbayan could issue an arrest warrant against Marcoleta as soon as the Ombudsman files non-bailable plunder charges against him anytime soon

Government prosecutors plan to charge Senator Rodante Marcoleta over undeclared campaign funds worth 75 million pesos (US$1.2 million).