Camille Naredo

Former congressman Mike Defensor gestures in handcuffs as he boards the BJMP van after emerging from the Sandigan Bayan  in Quezon City on July 6, 2026. Defensor was arrested over plunder charges related to a campaign donation to Senator Rodante Marcoleta, he will be taken to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, following a commitment order issued by the Sandiganbayan. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Mike Defensor

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783337707032viber_image_2026-07-06_16-29-59-872.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Former congressman Mike Defensor gestures in handcuffs as he boards the BJMP van after emerging from the Sandigan Bayan  in Quezon City on July 6, 2026. Defensor was arrested over plunder charges related to a campaign donation to Senator Rodante Marcoleta, he will be taken to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, following a commitment order issued by the Sandiganbayan. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former congressman Mike Defensor gestures in handcuffs as he boards the BJMP van after emerging from the Sandigan Bayan  in Quezon City on July 6, 2026. Defensor was arrested over plunder charges related to a campaign donation to Senator Rodante Marcoleta, he will be taken to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, following a commitment order issued by the Sandiganbayan. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Embattled former lawmaker Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu were placed in detention at the Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas on Monday.</p><p>Raising their fists, the two arrived at the jail aboard a coaster, heavily escorted by police at 3:45 p.m., after undergoing processing at the Philippine National Police Headquarters and the anti-graft court, the Sandiganbayan.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/6/marcoleta-arrest-plunder-1023">READ: Marcoleta arrested for non-bailable plunder case</a></div><p>Their aides later delivered their luggage containing clothes, food, and other personal necessities.</p><p>Defensor and Espiritu were arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at a coffee shop in Quezon City. </p><p>They are co-accused of Senator Rodante Marcoleta in the plunder case over the alleged undeclared P75 million in campaign donations during his 2025 senatorial bid.</p><p>Another co-accused, businessman Aristotle Viray, remains at large.</p><p>Meanwhile, Marcoleta was not immediately brought to jail as he was taken to the PNP General Hospital after complaining of chest pain and high blood pressure.</p><p>Other high-profile inmates detained at the Quezon City Jail include former Senator Bong Revilla and suspended Senator Jinggoy Estrada, along with their co-accused in connection with the flood control project anomalies.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/7/6/lani-mercado-on-visiting-bong-revilla-in-jail-basta-kapit-lang-sa-panginoon-1237">READ: Lani Mercado on visiting Bong Revilla in jail: &#x27;Basta kapit lang sa Panginoon&#x27;</a></div><p>The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology earlier assured it does not provide any special treatment, even to high-profile inmates.</p>

<p>Embattled former lawmaker Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu were placed in detention at the Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas on Monday.</p>

Embattled former lawmaker Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu were placed in detention at the Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas on Monday.

Defensor, businessman Joseph Espiritu detained at Quezon City Jail in Payatas

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Defensor, businessman Joseph Espiritu detained at Quezon City Jail in Payatas

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 06, 2026 07:39 PM PHT

Read More:

Mike Defensor

Joseph Espiritu

Aristotle Viray

Rodante Marcoleta

Quezon City Jail

Payatas

plunder

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