PNP to arrest Jinggoy Estrada despite possible Senate protective custody

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday it would implement a potential arrest warrant against Senator Jinggoy Estrada even if he is placed under Senate protective custody.

“If there is a warrant to arrest, we will have to implement it. I think we will have to follow the order of the court,” PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Major General Robert Alexander Morico II said at a press briefing.

Morico issued his statement when asked about police actions in case the Senate places Estrada under protective custody once an arrest warrant against him is issued.

Asked whether police would arrest Estrada even if he is inside the Senate, Nartatez said the implementation would depend on the nature of the offense and the applicable laws on legislative immunity.

He noted that lawmakers are generally protected from arrest while the upper chamber is in session for offenses punishable by imprisonment of not more than six years.

On Friday, the Sandiganbayan Second Division issued an arrest warrant against Estrada in a graft case over alleged kickbacks in flood control projects.

He paid the P90,000 bail for his provisional freedom and denied the allegations.

"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.)

The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division may possibly issue an arrest warrant against Estrada for the P573 million non-bailable plunder case against him.

Bato dela Rosa

Last month, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was placed under Senate protective custody when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant against him in connection with drug war killings.

While the Senate building was on lockdown on May 13, gunshots were heard inside the building of the legislative body. Hours later, before dawn on May 14, Dela Rosa left the Senate.

Tracker teams have since been deployed to locate and arrest Dela Rosa. — RSJ, GMA News