Sandiganbayan suspends Jinggoy Estrada as senator for 90 days due to graft case

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has imposed a 90-day preventive suspension order against Senator Jinggoy Estrada due to a pending graft charge against him over his alleged involvement in the flood control scandal.

The anti-graft court issued the suspension order under a resolution dated June 16.

"Today, the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan ordered the Preventive Suspension of Senator Jose 'Jinggoy' Pimentel Ejercito Estrada in connection with Criminal Case No. E-SB26CRM0004 for Violation of Sec. 3(e), R.A. 3019, as amended," the Sandiganbayan said in a statement.

"Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, this Court hereby orders the suspension pendente lite of accused Senator Jose 'Jinggoy' P. Ejercito Estrada from his present position as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, and from any other public office which he may now or hereafter be holding for a period of 90 days from receipt of this Resolution, which will take effect upon the finality of this Resolution," the anti-graft court added.

Aside from graft, Estrada is also facing separate plunder and graft cases in the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division also in relation to the flood control mess.

Moreover, Estrada is also still facing 11 counts of graft cases in connection with his alleged misuse of discretionary Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), all of which are pending since 2014. — VDV, GMA News