PNP-CIDG Aristotle Baluyut Viray, one of Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s co-accused in his P75-million plunder case, has been detained at the New Quezon City Jail following his arrest.

Viray, a businessman, was arrested at a gasoline station in Quezon City on Monday, where he allegedly received P20 million from Marcoleta as part of unreported campaign contributions.

Marcoleta argued to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) that the funds were received before the campaign period, so he could not be considered a candidate.The Ombudsman highlighted that the amount is too significant to be treated as a simple gift to an incumbent congressman.

After medical checks at the PNP General Hospital due to high blood pressure, Viray was transferred to the Sandiganbayan, where a commitment order was issued for his detention.He will be joined by former congressman Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu, who were arrested earlier at a coffee shop in Quezon City.The case underscores legal and ethical concerns over unreported financial transactions in political campaigns.