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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcoleta's plunder case co-accused now under BJMP custody

Marcoleta's plunder case co-accused now under BJMP custody

Published Jul 7, 2026 02:34 pm
Businessman Aristotle Viray, another co-accused of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta in the P75 million plunder case is now detained at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory (QCJMD) following his commitment in the facility at around 12:55 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) confirmed.
BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera said that Viray’s incarceration in the facility came a day after former lawmaker Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu were taken in on Monday July 6 at the same facility.
With the increased number of high-profile persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), under no circumstances will they be accorded preferential treatment at any time, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) insisted on Tuesday, July 7.
Defensor, Espiritu and Viray now join other prominent PDL personalities Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former Sen. Bong Remulla who were both tagged for their involvement in the anomalous Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects in the facility.
“Nasa booking procedure pa (Viray). Kararating lang nita after lunch (He is still undergoing booking procedures. He just arrived after lunch time),’’ Bustinera noted when pressed for Viray’s condition.
Other former DPWH officials under the BJMP custody include Denryl Caeser Cortuna, Manny Bulusan, Arturo Gonzales Jr., Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, Juanito Mendoza and Christina Pineda.
Bustinera’s statement brushed off repeated claims of critics that bias treatment that favored influential and highly popular PDLs continue to hound the agency.
Likewise, Bustinera stated that Defensor and Espiritu have been processed and integrated into the general PDL population, adding that both are in good condition and are sharing a cell designed for 10 persons.
“Nakahalo sila sa general population. In fact, ito 'yung dito sa malapit sa mga na-involve din sa flood control na former DPWH officials, nandoon sila sa area na ‘yun (They are confined with the general population. In fact, they are near the area of the former DPWH officials who were involved in the flood control anomalies they are in that same area),’’ Bustinera continued.
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