Jinggoy Estrada posts bail in flood-control graft case, but still faces non-bailable plunder
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada posted bail of P90,000 at the Sandiganbayan on Friday, May 29, over graft charges linked to the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.
It may be a brief reprieve. A separate plunder warrant, which is non-bailable, could be issued against him as early as Monday.
Estrada surrendered to the anti-graft court's Second Division after it ordered his arrest and barred him from leaving the country. He did not answer reporters' questions and appeared to be walking to the court with a limp, while flanked by security.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the senator has a knee condition that needs surgery.
In a statement on social media, Estrada said he was submitting to the court by choice. "I am personally posting bail before the Sandiganbayan in relation to the arrest warrant issued by its Second Division," he said.
"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," he added.
He denied the charges and said he was counting on due process and trusted that the truth would prevail.
Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, his co-accused, faces the same P90,000 bail. Graft is bailable under Philippine law. The graver charge against Estrada — plunder — is not.
The allegations
The Office of the Ombudsman charged Estrada with plunder and two counts of graft on Thursday.
Estrada is facing allegations of getting P573 million in kickbacks in exchange for steering flood control contracts, through budget insertions and rigged project allocations at the Department of Public Works and Highways.
What comes next
Friday's bail covers only the graft charges before the Second Division. The plunder case sits with the Fifth Division, and a non-bailable warrant from it is expected on Monday, Remulla said.
Plunder carries life imprisonment.
Estrada is the highest-ranking official ordered arrested over the flood control fiasco, and the third lawmaker charged after former senator Bong Revilla and former congressman Zaldy Co.
It is not his first time in this position. Estrada spent years tied up in the pork barrel scandal and was detained from 2014 to 2017. He was released from jail after the Sandiganbayan allowed him to post a P1.33 million bail, but eleven graft charges from that case remain pending.
— with reports by Ian Laqui
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