A senator who is one of the judges in the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte surrendered to an anti-graft court on Monday.

Rodante Marcoleta was filed a plunder case by the Ombudsman last Friday before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan. He appeared before the Sandiganbayan Monday morning where his motion to quash was denied.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities served the arrest warrant inside the court.

''He went there voluntarily to the Sandiganbayan to file a motion to quash. Subsequently, when it was denied, we closed down the building... and arrested him,'' said Remulla.

Marcoleta is the second senator to be arrested after Jinggoy Estrada, who is facing charges over the flood control scandal. This reduced the number of senators who will serve as judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte later in the day.

Marcoleta, former Congressman Mike Defensor and businessmen Aristole Viray and Joseph Espiritu are co-accused in a non-bailable plunder case involving the alleged non-disclosure of P75 million in campaign donations

Marcoleta was brought to the PNP where he was booked. Later, he complained of chest pain and high blood pressure. The PNP said he is being examined at the PNP General Hospital. He will be transferred Quezon City Jail in Payatas.

Former Congressman Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu were arrested by police at a coffee shop on the basis of an warrant from the Sandiganbayan over the same plunder case, said Remulla.

Authorities are pursuing businessman Aristotle Viray, who was issued a warrant of arrest on the same case by the Sandiganyaban. PHS