No bail bid for Defensor, co-accused in plunder case

MANILA, Philippines — Former Rep. Mike Defensor and his co-accused, businessman Joseph Espiritu on Wednesday said they will not file a petition for bail in their non-bailable plunder case before the Sandiganbayan Third Division.

Plunder is a non-bailable case and carries a penalty of life imprisonment. Under the law, bail may only be granted if the court finds that the evidence of guilt is not strong.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, together with Defensor, Espiritu and another businessman, Aristotle Viray are now detained at the New Quezon City jail male dormitory.

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They are co-accused in the plunder case stemming from the P75 million campaign donation the former congressman and two businessmen gave to the Marcoleta while he was still an incumbent congressman.

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According to state prosecutors, it was not declared in Marcoleta’s financial and campaign disclosures.

Associate Justice Karl Miranda, chairperson of the Third Division, asked other accused if they wanted to file a petition for bail.

Defensor’s lawyer Lawrence Arroyo said: “No, we would like to proceed to the trial.”

Espiritu’s lawyer also manifested that he will not file a petition for bail.

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So far, only Viray has filed a motion for bail.

Miranda said the camp of Defensor and Espiritu manifested that they wanted their arraignment and pretrial to push through.

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Because of Defensor and Espiritu’s manifestation, the motion to quash the case information they filed previously is now “deemed withdrawn,” according to Miranda.

Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray have pleaded not guilty during the arraignment of their plunder case.

For his part, Marcoleta will also file a petition for bail, but the senator still has a pending motion to quash or junk his plunder case before the court.

Miranda said the court will first resolve the senator’s motion before setting the bail hearing.

Office of the Ombudsman Deputy Special Prosecutor Omar Sagadal said state prosecutors will present “11 to 13 witnesses” during the bail hearing.

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The court scheduled the pretrial on August 10. /gsg