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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Sandiganbayan ruling on direct, indirect bribery charges reaffirms my innocence'—Jinggoy

'Sandiganbayan ruling on direct, indirect bribery charges reaffirms my innocence'—Jinggoy

Published Aug 22, 2024 12:38 pm

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Thursday, August 22 welcomed the Sandiganbayan Special Fifth Division’s decision acquitting him of direct and indirect bribery charges.

 

This, after the Sandiganbayan reversed its earlier decision convicting Estrada of one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery in connection with the P183.7 million allegedly pocketed by the senator out of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) from 2004 to 2012.

 

“I am deeply relieved of the Sandiganbayan Special Fifth Division’s decision finding merit in my motion for reconsideration and acquitting me of the direct and indirect bribery charges,” Estrada said.

 

“This ruling reaffirms the innocence I have consistently maintained throughout the ordeal, which spanned a decade, as I sought to prove the baselessness of the accusations against me,” added the senator.

 

He said the court confirmed his earlier statement that he did not accept any bribe, direct or indirect. 

 

“Hindi ako kailanman gumamit ng pondo ng bayan para sa pansariling interes o para pagtakpan ang anumang gawain na taliwas sa mga umiiral na batas. At higit sa lahat, pinatotohanan ng desisyong ito na hindi ko sinira ang tiwala na ibinigay sa akin ng mga mamamayan (I have never used public funds for personal gain or to cover up any activity contrary to existing laws. And above all, this decision testifies that I have not broken the trust that the citizens have given me),” he stressed.

 

But while he is “very grateful” to the Sandiganbayan for granting his motion for reconsideration, the senator said he believes, “the battle is not over.”

 

“Bilang isang lingkod bayan, gagawin ko ang lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya, kahit gaano pa katagal, na linisin ang aking pangalan (As a public servant, I will do everything in my power, no matter how long it takes, to clear my name),” he said. 

 

“Hindi madali ang kabanatang pinagdaanan ko ngunit nanatili ang aking tiwala sa ating justice system at kumpiyansa na mapatunayan ang aking integridad bilang halal ng bayan (The chapter I went through was not easy, but I still have faith in our justice system and confidence that my integrity will be proven as the people's elected representative),” he said.

 

“This experience has only further solidified my commitment to work tirelessly for the betterment of our nation as we move forward,” the lawmaker further said.

Related Tags

Sandiganbayan pork barrel fund scam PDAF scam Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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