Prosecution: Jinggoy’s bid for bail has no merit

Government prosecutors handling the plunder and graft cases against Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday asked the Sandiganbayan to reject his motion for bail “for lack of merit.”

 

“There being no merit to accused Estrada’s motion for bail, it being filed on the mere assumption that he is not a flight risk and that the evidence of guilt is absent, it is respectfully submitted that the same be denied by the Honorable Court," the three-page motion read.

 

The prosecutors in Estrada's cases are team leader Danilo Lopez, Ma. Christina Marallag-Batacan, Anna Isabel Aurellano and Peter Jedd Boco.

 

Still, the prosecutors acknowledged the need for a bail hearing if Estrada would insist on being granted the privilege.

 

"It is clear from the foregoing provision that accused Estrada, being charged with a capital offense, cannot claim to be entitled to the posting of bail for his provisional liberty. A hearing to determine whether the evidence of guilt is strong is mandatory," the motion said.

 

"It is only after the bail hearing that the court, in exercise of it's sound discretion, may determine whether accused Estrada's application for admission to bail should be granted or not," it added.

 

Estrada is facing plunder and graft charges for allegedly pocketing some P183.7M in government funds. He is detained at the Philippine National Police's Custodial Center, pending trial.

 

"Sen. Estrada most respectfully prays that the Honorable Court admit him to bail in such amount as the court may fix, and order his release upon posting of bail," Estrada said in his Monday motion. —NB, GMA News