Former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu were arrested on Monday following a warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
The arrests are tied to the alleged failure of Senator Rodante Marcoleta to declare a ₱75 million campaign contribution reportedly sourced from the two individuals.
Operatives from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) apprehended Defensor and Espiritu while the two were meeting at a Quezon City cafe.
Remulla confirmed that the suspects were immediately brought to the anti-graft court for the official return of the arrest warrants.
“Ilang minuto pa lang ang nakaraan ay inaresto si Mike Defensor at isang nagngangalan na Joseph Juarez Espiritu,” Remulla told reporters in an ambush interview at Camp Crame.
“Sila ay nag-uusap sa isang Starbucks sa Quezon City kung saan sila natagpuan ng CIDG at PNP, at inaresto at ihahatid naman sila sa Sandiganbayan para sa kanilang return of warrant,” he added.
Following their presentation to the Sandiganbayan, the duo will undergo booking procedures and a medical examination at Camp Crame before being transferred to the New Quezon City Jail–Male Dormitory in Payatas for detention.
Their apprehension occurred just hours after Marcoleta himself was taken into custody after the court rejected his motion to quash.