NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Estrada Fights Back Over Sandiganbayan Cases
Photo credit: Jinggoy Estrada
Senator Jinggoy Estrada vowed to fight the cases filed against him before the Sandiganbayan, saying his camp will exhaust all legal remedies and challenge what he described as serious irregularities in the handling of the complaints.
In a statement released after the filing of the cases, Estrada said his lawyers are now preparing the necessary legal actions to question both the process and the evidence used against him.
The senator particularly pointed to a letter from the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO), which he said confirmed there was no record showing that he inserted any item into the proposed 2025 national budget.
According to Estrada, the document directly contradicts the allegations being thrown at him but was allegedly disregarded during the investigation.
He also questioned the speed of the proceedings, claiming he was not given enough time to properly review the resolutions issued by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman before the cases were elevated to the Sandiganbayan.
Estrada argued that the situation had serious implications on his constitutional right to due process, saying he was denied the opportunity to fully respond or file a Motion for Reconsideration before charges were formally filed in court.
The senator further noted what he described as the unusually fast movement of cases involving some members of the Senate majority bloc following the change in Senate leadership.
“Barely a week after the DOJ issued its Resolution in my case, agad nagsampa ng kaso ang Ombudsman nang hindi nagsasagawa ng sarili nitong masusi at independent fact-finding investigation,” Estrada said.
Under standard procedure, a fact-finding investigation is typically conducted before a case is elevated to the Sandiganbayan, particularly in high-profile complaints involving public officials.
Estrada also recalled an earlier statement from the Ombudsman promising an “independent review and resolution on the merits of the case,” but said recent developments raised questions on whether that commitment was actually fulfilled.
The senator did not elaborate on the exact charges filed against him, but the issue is reportedly tied to allegations involving the national budget process and alleged insertions in appropriations measures.
Estrada, son of former president Joseph Estrada, has faced several high-profile legal battles throughout his political career, including the plunder case linked to the pork barrel scam where he was later granted bail after years of detention.
Despite the latest controversy, the senator insisted he would continue defending himself and clearing his name.
“As I have said before, if this is the price that I have to pay for standing by my principles and for what I believe in, then so be it,” Estrada said.
“Ipagpapatuloy ko ang paghahanap ng katotohanan at ang pagtatanggol sa aking pangalan sa tamang forum at alinsunod sa batas.”
In a statement released after the filing of the cases, Estrada said his lawyers are now preparing the necessary legal actions to question both the process and the evidence used against him.
The senator particularly pointed to a letter from the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO), which he said confirmed there was no record showing that he inserted any item into the proposed 2025 national budget.
According to Estrada, the document directly contradicts the allegations being thrown at him but was allegedly disregarded during the investigation.
He also questioned the speed of the proceedings, claiming he was not given enough time to properly review the resolutions issued by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman before the cases were elevated to the Sandiganbayan.
Estrada argued that the situation had serious implications on his constitutional right to due process, saying he was denied the opportunity to fully respond or file a Motion for Reconsideration before charges were formally filed in court.
The senator further noted what he described as the unusually fast movement of cases involving some members of the Senate majority bloc following the change in Senate leadership.
“Barely a week after the DOJ issued its Resolution in my case, agad nagsampa ng kaso ang Ombudsman nang hindi nagsasagawa ng sarili nitong masusi at independent fact-finding investigation,” Estrada said.
Under standard procedure, a fact-finding investigation is typically conducted before a case is elevated to the Sandiganbayan, particularly in high-profile complaints involving public officials.
Estrada also recalled an earlier statement from the Ombudsman promising an “independent review and resolution on the merits of the case,” but said recent developments raised questions on whether that commitment was actually fulfilled.
The senator did not elaborate on the exact charges filed against him, but the issue is reportedly tied to allegations involving the national budget process and alleged insertions in appropriations measures.
Estrada, son of former president Joseph Estrada, has faced several high-profile legal battles throughout his political career, including the plunder case linked to the pork barrel scam where he was later granted bail after years of detention.
Despite the latest controversy, the senator insisted he would continue defending himself and clearing his name.
“As I have said before, if this is the price that I have to pay for standing by my principles and for what I believe in, then so be it,” Estrada said.
“Ipagpapatuloy ko ang paghahanap ng katotohanan at ang pagtatanggol sa aking pangalan sa tamang forum at alinsunod sa batas.”
May 28, 2026
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