Mike Defensor, Espiritu, Marcoleta's co-accused in plunder case, arrested

Former Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Michael Defensor and businessman Joseph Varias Espiritu, co-accused of Senator Rodante Marcoleta in the P75-million plunder case, were also arrested Monday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced

In a press conference, Remulla said Defensor and Espiritu were found inside a coffee shop in Quezon City.

They will be brought to the Sandiganbayan for the return of warrant and then to the office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for the booking process.

"Nag-uusap sila sa Starbucks sa QC. Inaresto sila at dinadala na sa Sandigan para sa return of warrant," the DILG chief said.

The two will then be brought to the Payatas jail, he added.

Earlier in the day, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued arrest warrants against Marcoleta, Defensor, Espiritu, and Aristotle Baluyut Viray over the undeclared campaign donation that the lawmaker received for his 2025 senatorial bid.

Marcoleta, who attended the hearing, was brought to Camp Crame for the booking process.

In a video posted on social media, Defensor said they were arrest while those involved in the flood control mess remain free.

“We were the first to be thrown in prison on cases without basis. By sending us to jail, we can no longer be able to speak about corruption. We just want the truth to come out…[we want] transparency, accountability, and justice,” he said.

“You can send us to jail and silence us, but we will not give up,” he added.—AOL, GMA News