Jinggoy visits Erap prior to surrender in plunder case

Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada got an emotional hug from his father, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, ahead of his planned surrender to the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame over plunder and graft charges.

 

Jinggoy passed by his father's house in North Greenhills in San Juan City shortly after learning of the arrest order issued by the Sandiganbayan.

Estrada is accused with 25 others for allegedly conspiring to pocket P183.7 million in government funds through businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles' bogus NGOs. Napoles has been tagged by whistleblowers as the mastermind in the alleged scam.

 

Videos from GMA News TV's "News TV Live" showed the elder Estrada embracing Jinggoy's daughter, then hugging the senator.

 

A separate report by radio dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo showed the younger Estrada's siblings inside the house.

 

"I will submit to the rule of law like what I did before," the senator said.

 

When asked what he told his family and his children, he said, "I told them to be strong."

 

"This is my last day of freedom, I hope I can control my feelings," he added. — Joel Locsin/RSJ, GMA News