Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada (Senate PRIB)

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada lambasted on Monday, May 13, former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales for bringing up his case conviction in relation to the pork barrel scam.

“Alam mo Mr. Morales, huwag mong pakikialaman yung kaso ko, problema ko yun. Yung mga kaso mo ang ayusin mo,” Estrada stressed.

(You know Mr. Morales, don't meddle with my case, that's my problem. You handle your cases.)

Estrada gave this remark during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on the alleged “PDEA leaks” following Morales’ statement questioning the senator’s supposed hypocrisy.

“Parang hindi naman po maganda yung sinasabi ni Jinngoy Estrada patungkol sa akin, para naman ako talaga ang hinuhusgahan. Ako ay may kaso pa lang at hindi pa napapatunayan sa hukuman. Hindi kagaya po ng ating butihing senador eh na-convict na po. Huwag naman po ganoon,” said Morales.

(Jinngoy Estrada's words about me are not pleasant, it's like I'm the one being judged. I only have a case and it has not been proven in court. It's not like our good senator who has already been convicted. Don't be like that.)

“Ang kaso ko hinaharap, hindi ko po tinatakbuhan ( I face my case, I don't run away from it),” he added.

Morales, the main resource person in the hearing, was referring to Estrada’s conviction of one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery as result of the infamous pork barrel scam.

The senator remains free as he continues to appeal these convictions.

He was earlier accused of embezzling P183 million in kickbacks from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

During his opening statement, Estrada faced this concern head-on, as he noted that he’s merely serving his responsibility as public servant.

“Sa mga bumabatikos sa akin na wala raw akong moral ascendancy para lumahok sa pagdinig na ito, dahil ako raw ay convicted ng hukuman, nais ko lang bigyang diin na ang pagdalo ko rito ay pagtupad sa aking tungkulin at responsibilidad bilang inyong senador na inihalal ng 15 milyong botanteng Pilipino na naniniwala sa aking kakayahan at nagtitiwala na kaya kong gampanan ang mga responsibilidad bilang isang lingkod-bayan,” he explained.

(To those who criticize me that I don't have the moral ascendancy to participate in this hearing, because I was convicted by the court, I just want to emphasize that my attendance here is to fulfill my duty and responsibility as your senator, who was elected by 15 million Filipino voters, who believe in my ability and trust that I will fulfill the responsibilities as a public servant.)

Meanwhile, the senator remains hesitant to consider Morales’ allegations as credible given the latter’s ongoing legal proceedings and dismissal from PDEA due to dishonesty and misconduct.

Estrada particularly panned Morales for failing to divulge the identity behind the confidential informant who leaked the supposed documents linking then-senator and now President Marcos to illegal drug use.

During Monday’s hearing, Morales told the panel that he cannot remember the name of his informant. And even if he does, he won’t reveal it based on his conscience.

“Maliwanag na maliwanag na ang ating resource person ay nagsisinungaling (It's clearly obvious that our resource person is lying),” underscored Estrada.