DEFENSOR, 2 OTHER BUSINESSMEN IN MARCOLETA DONATION ARRESTED

FORMER lawmaker Mike Defensor and two businessmen who are co-accused in the P75-million plunder case of Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Monday were arrested by the authorities.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said  Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu were arrested in a coffee shop in Quezon City.

The two were caught after the arrest warrants against them were issued by the Sandiganbayan.

Another co-accused, Aristotle Viray was arrested on Monday night by operatives of the Philippine National Police- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) at a gasoline station along Boni Serrano Avenue in Quezon City.

Defensor, Espiritu and Viray were the ones who donated the P75 million alleged campaign donation  to Marcoleta.

Meanwhile, Marcoleta also on Monday surrendered to the CIDG men and was subsequently placed under arrest, according to Remulla.

The four were subjected to a booking process, including the taking of mug shots and a medical examination.

Defensor and the two businessmen are now detained at the Quezon City Jail in Bgy. Payatas.

Meanwhile, Marcoleta was brought to the PNP hospital after experiencing chest pains and high blood pressure.

Remulla said:  Marcoleta’s doctor “advised that we get ECG (electrocardiogram) and several other tests,” noting that it would not take more than a day or two to complete the orders.

He said the medical examination will check the 72-year-old Marcoleta’s “blood markers” as well as his heart and kidney function.

“We don’t want to take the responsibility na may mangyari sa kanya sa loob, so sisiguraduhin na siya ay in good health,” Remulla said.