Jinggoy Estrada to post bail on graft charges

Senator Jinggoy Estrada is set to post bail after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against him in relation to the graft charges he is facing over alleged kickbacks in the flood control scandal.

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

"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.

Earlier, the Sandiganbayan Second Division issued a warrant of arrest and hold departure order against Estrada in connection with the graft charges. Former Public Works 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.

"Mariin kong itinatanggi ang mga paratang laban sa akin. Ang mga ito ay walang batayan at walang bahid ng katotohanan. 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," said Estrada.

(I strongly deny the baseless and false accusations against me. 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.)

"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," the lawmaker said.

(I hope for a fair treatment, due process and impartial trial for the case. I trust that in the end, truth will prevail.)

Apart from graft, the senator is also facing a plunder charge—a non-bailable offense—for allegedly pocketing P573 million in infrastructure projects kickbacks.

He and Bonoan are likewise 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. — RSJ, GMA News