Philippine senator surrenders after court orders his arrest for large-scale corruption

MANILA, Philippines – A popular Philippine senator and action movie star surrendered Friday after an anti-graft court ordered his arrest on large-scale corruption charges in a rare spectacle of the country’s high and mighty being made to answer for alleged misdeeds. Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., who belongs to a powerful political clan and is a famous movie and TV celebrity, arrived in a convoy of SUVs with his wife, children and fans at the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in suburban Quezon city. He was to be taken later to police headquarters, where his fingerprints and mug shots will be taken before his detention. Local TV networks beamed his surrender live nationwide. Revilla is one of three influential senators indicted early this month for allegedly receiving huge kickbacks from state anti-poverty and development funds.