Senator Jinggoy Estrada posted bail of P90,000 on May 29 for a graft charge tied to a flood control scandal. The Sandiganbayan’s Second Division issued an arrest warrant and hold departure order that day, but the Fifth Division has not yet acted on the related non-bailable plunder charge. A detention cell has been prepared for him at the New Quezon City Jail.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology has a cell ready at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas. Remulla said the facility has been designated for suspects in the flood control cases and can accommodate Estrada if the court issues a commitment order.
The plunder case involves alleged kickbacks exceeding P573 million from budget insertions in flood control projects. Estrada was charged along with former public works officials, but the Fifth Division has yet to issue an arrest warrant.
Estrada faces this case after prior acquittals in two earlier plunder charges. The graft case stems from the same flood control allegations, and he walked free after posting bail before the Second Division.
Former Senate president Franklin Drilon urged the Senate to remove senators facing charges from committee posts ahead of a Blue Ribbon committee hearing on the scandal.
