Marcoleta, businessmen arrested in P75-M plunder case

Senator Rodante Marcoleta was arrested on Monday after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a P75-million plunder case filed against him over alleged undeclared campaign donations he received during his 2025 senatorial bid. Aside from Marcoleta, the anti-graft court also ordered the arrest of his alleged campaign donors: former Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Michael Defensor and businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray. According to the Office of the Ombudsman, the alleged cash donations, given on three separate occasions, were not declared in Marcoleta's Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and campaign finance reports. Here are the two businessmen who are co-accused in the plunder case: Joseph Varias Espiritu Joseph Varias Espiritu is the president emeritus of Healthwealth International Corp., a Pasig City-based nutraceutical company. According to the company's Facebook page, Espiritu also served as a director and co-owner of Newport Fashions Circle Corp., Goodman Accessories Corp., and Pollux Pharmaceutical Inc. Espiritu earned a degree in Business Management from Far Eastern University. He also obtained a certificate in computer programming from Ateneo de Manila University and completed information technology modules at Informatics Computer Institute Philippines. Aristotle Baluyut Viray Aristotle Baluyut Viray previously served as president of G & G International Unlimited Inc., a company engaged in manufacturing and trading, based on a report by the Philippine Center on Investigative Journalism. In 2010, Viray was a nominee of the Yes We Can, Inc. party-list, whose first nominee was Maynard Lapid, son of Senator Lito Lapid. Defensor and Espiritu were arrested earlier on Monday after authorities found them inside a coffee shop in Quezon City. They were set to be brought to the Sandiganbayan for the return of the warrant before being taken to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for booking, after which they would be transferred to the Payatas Jail in Quezon City. In a video posted on social media, Defensor said they were arrested while those allegedly involved in the flood control controversy remain free. "We were the first to be thrown in prison on cases without basis. By sending us to jail, we can no longer speak about corruption. We just want the truth to come out... transparency, accountability, and justice," he said. "You can send us to jail and silence us, but we will not give up," he added. Meanwhile, Marcoleta was arrested and brought to Camp Crame for booking after attending a court hearing where his motions to dismiss the case were denied. Marcoleta said he had anticipated the issuance of the arrest warrant and was prepared to face the charges. "Pagpunta ko dito inaasahan ko na lahat. Ako ay hindi magtatago, haharapin ko lahat. Kung i-serve nila ang warrant ay tatanggapin ko." (I expected everything when I came here. I will not hide and will face everything. If they serve the warrant, I will accept it.) — MCG, GMA News