Sandiganbayan issues arrest warrant vs Jinggoy Estrada for plunder, graft

The Sandiganbayan 5th Division on Monday issued a warrant of arrest against Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is facing ₱573‑million plunder and graft charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

This, despite motions filed by the senator's legal counsel earlier in the day seeking to withhold the issuance of the warrant.

In a resolution dated June 1, 2026, the Fifth Division of the Sandiganbayan found probable cause for the issuance of warrants of arrest against the following:

• Senator Jinggoy Estrada
• former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan
• DPWH NCR Assistant District Engineer Denryl Caesar Sanchez Cortuna
• DPWH NCR District Engineer Manny Bumagat Bulusan
• DPWH NCR District Engineer Arturo Lombres Gonzales, Jr.

"The said warrants were issued in connection with Crim. Case No. E-SB-26-CRM-0005 for violation of Sec. 3(e) R.A. 3019, as amended, and Crim. Case No. E-SB-26-CRM-0006 for Plunder under R.A. 7080 as amended," the anti-graft court added.

Republic Act (RA) 3019 is the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act while RA 7080 is the Plunder law.

Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issues warrant of arrest vs. Senator Jinggoy Estrada and four others for plunder and graft cases in connection with his alleged involvement in the flood control mess @gmanews pic.twitter.com/drhrYuqSyl

— Llanesca T. Panti (@llanescajourno) June 1, 2026

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla also provided reporters a copy of the arrest warrant.

The Sandiganbayan 5th Division issues a warrant of arrest against Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is facing a P573‑million plunder charge. 📸: SILG Jonvic Remulla @gmanews pic.twitter.com/VjzWn6Ixyj

— Joviland Rita (@jovilandxrita) June 1, 2026

Estrada and his four other co-accused are also expected to appear before the Sandiganbayan 5th Division for processing.

The senator earlier filed an urgent motion to withdraw the issuance of warrants of arrest as well as a motion to quash all the criminal information against him before the Sandiganbayan Fifth and Second Divisions.

Atty. Noel Ostrea, counsel for Estrada, told reporters that they filed the urgent motion to withdraw the issuance of warrant of arrest against Estrada before the Sandiganbayan Second and Fifth Division last Friday, May 29.

“We kind of understand that what we filed was extraordinary, but we hope the Sandiganbayan justices will understand that our client that our client is yet to receive the Ombudsman, Department of Justice resolutions charging him of these crimes,” he told reporters.

“How can we file a proper motion when we do not know the basis of these charges?" he added.

On Monday, Ostrea said they filed the motions to quash after receiving the said resolutions.

"We filed motion to quash alongside other omnibus motions so we can present our arguments justifying the dismissal of cases against Senator Jinggoy before the Sandiganbayan," he added. —AOL, GMA News