He is facing charges in connection with the flood control corruption scandal.
On Friday, May 29, the 2nd Division of the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against Senator Jinggoy Estrada in relation to the graft case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on the alleged budget insertions and the PHP573 million kickback he received from flood control project in Bulacan.
Estrada, who still has an ongoing case before the anti-graft court regarding his implication in the Pork Barrel Scam of 2013, is a co-accused in raps that was also filed versus former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan and three other personalities.
Following the issuance of the warrant, the senator personally appeared, together with members of the family, at the court to post his PHP90,000 bail.
Through his social media page, he announced his move, citing that it is a “legal remedy” available to him under the justice system.
“I am personally posting bail before the Sandiganbayan in relation to the arrest warrant issued by its Second Division. Posting bail is a legal remedy available to me under our justice system, and I intend to avail myself of every lawful means to defend myself and clear my name.”
Estrada then repeated his previous statement and denied anew the allegations that were thrown against him and said, “Mariin kong itinatanggi ang mga paratang laban sa akin. Ang mga ito ay walang batayan at walang bahid ng katotohanan.“
“I respect the rule of law and our judicial institutions, and this is precisely why I am posting bail and personally submitting myself to the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan,” he added.
To end, Estrada told, “Umaasa ako sa patas na pagtrato, due process, at pagiging walang kinikilingan sa pagdinig ng kasong ito. Nagtitiwala ako na sa huli, mananaig ang hustisya at ang katotohanan.”
Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan’s 5th Division, which handles the non-bailable plunder case filed against the senator, has not yet issued any orders regarding his case.