Philippine anti-graft court orders prominent senator's arrest in high-profile corruption trial

The Philippines' anti-graft court has ordered the arrest of a prominent senator and one of the country's most influential senior politicians on corruption allegations.

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile is facing arrest on suspicion of receiving kickbacks from a scam that diverted millions of dollars from anti-poverty funds allotted to lawmakers. The wealthy 90-year-old legislator was a former Senate president, defense minister and a key aide to late dictator Ferdinand Marcos before turning against him.

He is the third senator to be prosecuted in the case that bolsters President Benigno Aquino III's promise to fight corruption that has plagued the nation of 97 million for decades.

Enrile on Friday left his house in the capital, Manila, and is apparently headed to surrender himself to police to face the charges.