Pasig shuts down hotel tied to Defensor

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig City government has ordered the closure of a hotel linked to the wife and son of former congressman Mike Defensor following a raid that uncovered trafficking and prostitution within its premises on April 21.

Zerrin Development Corp., operator of Bleu Hotel, has been directed to cease operations.

“The continuation of such unlawful activities constitutes grave violation of the conditions of your business permit,” the city’s business permit and licensing department wrote in an order dated April 27.

Closure of the hotel takes effect immediately pending resolution of the complaint filed before the Pasig prosecutor’s office, city hall added.

Fifty-four women were rescued from a nightclub within the compound, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported earlier.

Registered as a private karaoke managed by Chicago Electronic and Entertainment Corp., the nightclub shares the building with Bleu Hotel, authorities said.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the two firms have “interlocking” officers, which allegedly enabled the operations.

Trafficking and drug charges have been filed against 26 people.

Zerrin Development has been linked to Defensor’s family.

His wife, Julie, said she has no ties to illegal activities, accusing authorities of dragging her and her son into the issue.

Defensor said his family divested its stake in the hotel’s operations in 2019, noting that another group has been managing the establishment.