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Advocates Philippines
Estrada Files Counter-Affidavit, Questions Evidence In Flood Control Case
Photo credit: Jinggoy Estrada
Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Thursday formally pushed back against the plunder allegations tied to controversial flood control projects, filing his counter-affidavit before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
While Estrada himself declined to speak to reporters, his lawyer, Bianca Soriano, confirmed that the senator had submitted his response to the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which accused him and others of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
According to Soriano, their camp is challenging the complaint on procedural grounds.
“We are attacking it based on procedural rules, particularly the requirements of a complaint affidavit,” Soriano explained. “What the NBI filed was essentially a letter with an attached affidavit.”
She added that Estrada’s legal team also questioned whether the evidence presented by investigators would meet the legal standard required for criminal cases to proceed before either the DOJ or the Office of the Ombudsman.
“We also discussed the admissibility and credibility of the evidence,” Soriano said, stressing that the materials submitted by the NBI may not pass the threshold needed to sustain a criminal complaint.
The senator’s counter-affidavit also raised concerns about the reliability of witnesses involved in the case—particularly those seeking protection under the government’s witness protection program. Soriano said existing jurisprudence requires prosecutors to exercise caution when relying on testimonies from such witnesses.
Meanwhile, Estrada’s camp is also asking the court to allow the senator to travel abroad, insisting that he is not a flight risk.
Soriano pointed out that Estrada has previously complied with all court requirements whenever he sought permission to travel, including during proceedings at the Sandiganbayan.
However, the DOJ earlier signaled that it would oppose efforts by Estrada’s camp to lift the precautionary hold departure order issued against him by the courts.
The case is part of a broader investigation into alleged irregularities in government flood control projects, which authorities say may involve large sums of public funds.
While Estrada himself declined to speak to reporters, his lawyer, Bianca Soriano, confirmed that the senator had submitted his response to the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which accused him and others of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
According to Soriano, their camp is challenging the complaint on procedural grounds.
“We are attacking it based on procedural rules, particularly the requirements of a complaint affidavit,” Soriano explained. “What the NBI filed was essentially a letter with an attached affidavit.”
She added that Estrada’s legal team also questioned whether the evidence presented by investigators would meet the legal standard required for criminal cases to proceed before either the DOJ or the Office of the Ombudsman.
“We also discussed the admissibility and credibility of the evidence,” Soriano said, stressing that the materials submitted by the NBI may not pass the threshold needed to sustain a criminal complaint.
The senator’s counter-affidavit also raised concerns about the reliability of witnesses involved in the case—particularly those seeking protection under the government’s witness protection program. Soriano said existing jurisprudence requires prosecutors to exercise caution when relying on testimonies from such witnesses.
Meanwhile, Estrada’s camp is also asking the court to allow the senator to travel abroad, insisting that he is not a flight risk.
Soriano pointed out that Estrada has previously complied with all court requirements whenever he sought permission to travel, including during proceedings at the Sandiganbayan.
However, the DOJ earlier signaled that it would oppose efforts by Estrada’s camp to lift the precautionary hold departure order issued against him by the courts.
The case is part of a broader investigation into alleged irregularities in government flood control projects, which authorities say may involve large sums of public funds.
Mar 13, 2026
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