Delfin Lee detained in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines - Businessman and fallen fugitive Delfin Lee is now under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Pampanga after a court denied his motion to post bail for now.

The top fugitive has been transferred to the NBI detention facility upon the decision of San Fernando City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge Edgar Chua, television and radio reports said.

According to the reports, Lee will temporarily stay in a bungalow-type house with two detention cells.

This is while his camp's urgent ex-parte motion for his immediate release remains pending in the court.

A radio report said Lee's arraignment has been set on March 10 at the San Fernando RTC Branch 42.

Lee, president of Globe Asiatique, is accused of defrauding Pag-Ibig Fund of almost P6.6 billion by using fake borrowers and fake documents.

He was arrested last night in front of the Hyatt Hotel and Casino by joint operatives of Task Force Tugis and the Manila Police District.

Lawyer Gilbert Repizo, Lee's spokesperson, told ANC in a television interview that the businessman should remain as a free man since the arrest warrant against him has been quashed by the Court of Appeals.

He said Lee's arrest violates his constitutional right.

Lee had a bounty of P2 million and was among the country's high-profile fugitives known as the "Big 5."  - Louis Bacani