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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcoleta's 3rd plunder co-accused appears at Sandiganbayan for return of warrant

Marcoleta's 3rd plunder co-accused appears at Sandiganbayan for return of warrant

Published Jul 7, 2026 01:45 pm

At A Glance

  • Viray became the last of the four accused to appear before the anti-graft court after the Sandiganbayan issued warrants of arrest and hold departure orders (HDOs) against them on Monday, July 6, after finding probable cause to proceed with the plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
Businessman Aristotle Baluyot Viray, one of the co-accused of Senator Rodante Marcoleta in the plunder case over the alleged P75 million in undeclared donations, appeared before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Tuesday, July 7, to return the warrant of arrest issued against him.
Viray became the last of the four accused to appear before the anti-graft court after the Sandiganbayan issued warrants of arrest and hold departure orders (HDOs) against them on Monday, July 6, after finding probable cause to proceed with the plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
A day earlier, Marcoleta, former lawmaker Michael “Mike” Defensor, and businessman Joseph Varias Espiritu separately appeared before the Third Division to return their respective warrants of arrest.
Viray arrived at the Office of the Clerk of Court of the Sandiganbayan Third Division, where the return of his warrant was processed.
The case stems from the Ombudsman’s allegation that Marcoleta, while still serving as a congressman, received a total of P75 million in undeclared donations from Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray.
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
(JEL SANTOS/MB PHOTO)
Earlier, the Sandiganbayan said that probable cause exists to issue warrants of arrest against the four accused, emphasizing that the issuance of the warrants merely signifies the court’s determination that sufficient basis exists to require them to answer the charges and should not be construed as a finding of guilt.
The Third Division of the anti-graft court has scheduled the arraignment of Marcoleta, Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray on Friday, July 10.
The plunder case, a non-bailable offense, was filed by the OMB before the Sandiganbayan on July 3, together with three separate criminal cases for alleged violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices law on gifts, against the accused.

Related Tags

Aristotle Baluyot Viray Rodante Marcoleta Sandiganbayan plunder case Office of the Ombudsman warrant of arrest hold departure order alleged corruption Philippine politics Michael Defensor
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