Jinggoy to 'vacate' Senate seat but vows to surrender once arrest ordered

MANILA, Philippines — Embattled Senator Jinggoy Estrada said on Wednesday that he may miss the Senate sessions starting next month, but he assured that he will not evade his imminent arrest.

In a privilege speech, Estrada did not announce his resignation but he hinted that he may not be present in his chamber when Congress reopens.

"Marahil sa pagbubukas ng panibagong sesyon ng Mataas na Kapulungan na ito sa darating na Hulyo, hindi niyo muna ako makikita rito," Estrada said in a privilege speech.

"Pansamantala kong babakantehin ang aking upuan nang nakataas ang aking noo. Buo ang loob at buo ang integridad, prinsipyo at pangalan dahil wala akong salaping pinakialaman sa kaban ng ating mahal na bayan," he added.

Congress will adjourn sine die today and will resume its regular session on July 28.

In his speech, Estrada maintained that he did not amass kickbacks through the diversion of pork barrel funds to ghost projects and foundations of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

"Matatag ang aking paninindigan na ako ay walang kasalanan sa lahat ng mga bintang at paratang laban sa akin. Wala po sa aming angkan ang tahasang hindi pagsunod sa mga batas," Estrada said.

Ahead of his possible arrest, Estrada said he will exhaust legal remedies, but he reiterated that he is ready to go to jail.

"Hindi na nila ako kailangan pang hanapin at kaladkarin kung sakaling kami ay dapat nang arestuhin dahil ako na mismo ang kusang susuko sa kinauuklan sa sandaling maglabas ng utos ang korte na ako ay kailangan ng dakpin," Estrada said.

The beleaguered senator again cried foul over the "selective justice" by the Department of Justice, the Commission on Audit and the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the pork barrel scam.

He also assailed the media for supposedly singling him out along with Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon Revilla Jr.

Estrada, a son of ousted President Joseph Estrada, allegedly received P183 million in kickbacks. Revilla and Enrile were accused of pocketing P224 million pesos and P172 million, respectively.