The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday reiterated that "no special treatment" will be given to any person deprived of liberty (PDL) under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), including former lawmaker Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu.
“The DILG reiterates that all persons committed to BJMP custody are treated in accordance with the law and established custodial procedures,” the agency said in a statement.
“As affirmed by the BJMP, no special treatment will be extended to any PDL under its custody. The Department remains committed to ensuring the impartial and professional enforcement of the law,” it added.
The statement came after Defensor and Espiritu were brought to the Quezon City Jail–Male Dormitory following their arrest on warrants issued by the Sandiganbayan in connection with a non-bailable plunder case.
The DILG confirmed that, based on information from the BJMP, the two were committed to the custody of the Quezon City Jail–Male Dormitory at 3:58 p.m. on July 6, 2026, pursuant to a commitment order issued by the Sandiganbayan Third Division.
“The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirms that, based on the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), former Congressman Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu were committed to the custody of the Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory at 3:58 p.m. today, July 6, 2026, pursuant to a commitment order issued by the Sandiganbayan Third Division in connection with their non-bailable plunder case,” the agency said.
Defensor and Espiritu were arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday over the plunder charges.
Also arrested was businessman Aristotle Viray, who is among the co-accused of Senator Rodante Marcoleta in another non-bailable plunder case involving the alleged non-disclosure of P75 million in campaign donations during the previous elections.
The BJMP said Defensor and Espiritu were classified as persons deprived of liberty after their arrest and underwent standard custodial procedures before being integrated into the general PDL population.
“The BJMP further confirmed that both persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have completed standard custodial processing and have been integrated into the general PDL population,” the DILG said.
