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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandigan affirms Sen Jinggoy Estrada's acquittal on direct, indirect bribery charges

Sandigan affirms Sen Jinggoy Estrada's acquittal on direct, indirect bribery charges

Published Dec 2, 2024 02:49 am

The Sandiganbayan has upheld the acquittal of Senate President Pro Temporare Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on direct and indirect bribery charges in connection with his P183.7 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) from 2004 to 2014.

In an eight-page resolution dated Nov. 27 and written by Associate Justice Maria Theresa V. Mendoza-Arcega, the Sandiganbayan's Special Fifth Division denied “for utter lack of merit” the motion for reconsideration of the prosecution which appealed the Aug. 22 resolution of the anti-graft court on Estrada's acquittal.

“Accordingly, the Resolution dated August 22, 2024 hereby stands,” the anti-graft court ruled.

The court pointed out ”the instant motion seeks to revisit the factual findings of Estrada’s acquittal that would place the latter in double jeopardy.”

“The Constitution is explicit that no person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense,” it stressed.

It cited that Section 21, Article III of the 1987 Constitution provides that “no person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense. If an act is punished by a law or ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall constitute a bar to another prosecution for the same act.”

In the same resolution, the court denied Estrada's plea to expunge the motion for reconsideration filed by the prosecution.

Last January, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Estrada of plunder but convicted him of direct bribery and indirect bribery concerning allegations against the expenditures of the P183.7 million PDAF from 2004 to 2014.

The anti-graft court later issued its Aug. 22 resolution that acquitted Estrada of direct bribery and indirect bribery charges.

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