By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada in connection with plunder and graft charges arising from the alleged irregular implementation of flood control projects reportedly involving billions of pesos in government funds.
In a resolution issued by the anti-graft court’s Second Division, arrest warrants and hold departure orders were likewise issued against several former officials and engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who were included in the complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The case stemmed from allegations that anomalous flood control projects were used as channels for kickbacks and irregular fund releases, with investigators claiming that portions of public infrastructure funds were allegedly diverted through questionable transactions and project allocations.
According to case records, prosecutors accused Estrada and his co-respondents of conspiring in the alleged misuse of government resources tied to infrastructure programs intended for flood mitigation and public safety.
The plunder complaint filed before the Sandiganbayan is classified as a non-bailable offense when evidence of guilt is considered strong, while separate graft charges were also lodged against the respondents.
Court records showed that the anti-graft court found sufficient basis to issue the warrants following the formal filing of the criminal informations by the Ombudsman.
Authorities said standard legal procedures would be followed in implementing the arrest order, including the possibility of voluntary surrender by the accused.
Estrada denied the allegations and maintained that he would answer the accusations before the court. The senator insisted that the complaints contained supposed irregularities and expressed confidence that he would be able to clear his name during the proceedings.
The latest case marks another high-profile legal challenge involving Estrada, who previously faced charges before the Sandiganbayan in relation to the pork barrel controversy.
The Sandiganbayan has yet to announce the schedule for the arraignment and other pre-trial proceedings for the case.
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