Sandiganbayan issues arrest warrant, HDO vs Jinggoy Estrada over graft case

The Sandiganbayan Second Division issued Friday a warrant of arrest and hold departure order against Senator Jinggoy Estrada in connection with graft charges filed against him over alleged kickbacks in flood control projects.

The Second Division, chaired by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg, handles the graft case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against Estrada and others.

Former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan is also a subject of the arrest warrant.

Bail is set at P90,000 for each accused, a source told GMA News.

Estrada is also facing a plunder charge—a non-bailable offense—for allegedly pocketing P573 million in infrastructure projects kickbacks.

He and Bonoan are also accused of graft and plunder in separate cases both raffled to the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.

In a message to reporters, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said a non-bailable arrest warrant from the Fifth Division is expected to be issued on Monday.

As of past 2 p.m. Friday, Remulla said Estrada told him over the phone that the senator was on his way to the Sandiganbayan to post bail.

Estrada to post bail

Estrada, in a press statement, confirmed he would post bail with the Sandiganbayan.

"I am personally posting bail before the Sandiganbayan in relation to the arrest warrant issued by its Second Division," the senator said.

"Posting bail is a legal remedy available to me under our justice system, and I intend to avail myself of every lawful means to defend myself and clear my name," he said.

The lawmaker denied the accusations anew, describing it as "baseless and false."

"I respect the rule of law and our judicial institutions, and this is precisely why I am posting bail and personally submitting myself to the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan," he said.

"Umaasa ako sa patas na pagtrato, due process, at pagiging walang kinikilingan sa pagdinig ng kasong ito. Nagtitiwala ako na sa huli, mananaig ang hustisya at ang katotohanan," Estrada added.

(I am hoping for a fair treatment, due process, and impartial trial for the case. I trust that in the end, truth will prevail.) — AOL/ VDV, GMA News