Photo credit: Jinggoy Estrada

Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Friday personally posted bail before the Sandiganbayan after the anti-graft court issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with graft charges tied to the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.

The Sandiganbayan’s Second Division ordered Estrada’s arrest and issued a hold departure order over graft charges linked to alleged kickbacks from flood control projects. Bail for the graft case was reportedly set at P90,000, while the senator is also facing a separate plunder case tied to the same controversy.

In a statement, Estrada said he was voluntarily submitting himself to the court’s jurisdiction while strongly denying all allegations against him.

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

The charges stem from allegations that Estrada benefited from irregularities involving flood control projects allegedly inserted into the national budget. Several former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways were also included in the complaints filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Estrada maintained that the accusations against him were baseless and expressed confidence that he would eventually clear his name in court.

“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,” he added.

The senator arrived at the Sandiganbayan accompanied by members of his family as he processed his bail, while the widening flood control scandal continues to draw national attention and trigger investigations involving several lawmakers and former government officials.