Aristotle Viray, Rodante Marcoleta's co-accused in P75-M plunder case, detained in QC jail

Aristotle Baluyut Viray, one of Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s co-accused in his ₱75-million plunder case, has been committed to the custody of the New Quezon City Jail on Tuesday following his arrest the previous day

In a “24 Oras” report by Maki Pulido on Tuesday, Viray was arrested before 7 p.m. Monday at a gasoline station in Boni Serrano Avenue, Quezon City.

A businessman, Viray is among the private individuals who, according to Marcoleta, gave him P20 million as part of the P75 million that Marcoleta failed to declare as a campaign contribution.

Marcoleta argued to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) that it was not yet the campaign period when he received the money in January 2025, so he could not yet be considered a candidate.

The Office of the Ombudsman said, aside from Marcoleta's failure to declare the money in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), the amount is too large to be considered a simple gift to an incumbent congressman.

After his arrest, Viray was brought to Camp Crame for booking procedures and a medical check-up.

Viray spent the night at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital due to high blood pressure.

On Tuesday morning, doctors cleared him, and subsequently police brought him to the Sandiganbayan for the return of the warrant.

Before noon, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued the commitment order, wherein the court ordered Viray to be jailed at the BJMP Quezon City Male Dormitory in Payatas.

Viray will be joined there by his co-accused, former congressman Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu, who were arrested on July 6, 2026, at a coffee shop in Quezon City. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News