Jinggoy Estrada back in PH after trips to Hong Kong, Macau, Japan

Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday informed the Sandiganbayan of his return to the Philippines following trips to Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan from March 31 to April 5.

Estrada, wearing a striped polo shirt, reported to the court in compliance with a requirement tied to its approval of his overseas travel.

He is required to seek court permission each time he travels abroad as he continues to face 11 counts of graft in connection with the alleged misuse of his discretionary or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) during his term as senator from 2004 to 2010.

Estrada is currently out on bail, as graft is a bailable offense.

The Office of the Ombudsman has accused Estrada of channeling portions of his PDAF allocations to non-government organizations linked to businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in exchange for kickbacks.

Prosecutors said around P183 million of Estrada’s PDAF was funneled to Napoles-linked NGOs for supposed livelihood and development projects that were later found to be non-existent or irregular.

In January 2024, however, the Sandiganbayan acquitted him of plunder.—MCG, GMA News