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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Estrada to be arrested even inside Senate if warrant is served — NBI chief

Estrada to be arrested even inside Senate if warrant is served — NBI chief

Published May 29, 2026 04:09 pm

At A Glance

  • The NBI chief pointed out that former senators Leila de Lima, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Juan Ponce Enrile were all served arrest warrants while inside the Senate.
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Sen. Jinggoy Estrada will be arrested even if he seeks refuge inside the Senate once a warrant is served, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin A. Matibag said on Friday, May 29.
Matibag issued the statement after the Sandiganbayan released an arrest warrant against Estrada, who is facing graft and plunder charges in connection to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
“Legal ‘yung arrest na ‘yan (The arrest is legal),” Matibag said.
The NBI chief pointed out that former senators Leila de Lima, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Juan Ponce Enrile were all served arrest warrants while inside the Senate.
He also cited the NBI’s unsuccessful attempt to serve an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant on Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa when he appeared at the Senate on May 11, where he was placed under protective custody.
Dela Rosa has been named by the ICC as a co-perpetrator in a crimes against humanity case tied to the drug war of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Matibag recalled that the NBI backed off from serving the ICC warrant at the time following the Senate leadership’s position that only warrants issued by local courts would be honored inside the chamber.
“Kung local court daw, papayag arestuhin (If the warrant is from a local court, they will allow the arrest),” he said.
“Along that line of argument, kahit nasa loob siya ng Senado (even if he is inside the Senate), he will be arrested. That will be a legal arrest,” he added.
Matibag said other law enforcement agencies may also serve the warrant.
He added that Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has reached out to Estrada to discuss his options following the issuance of the arrest warrant.

Related Tags

NBI DIRECTOR MELVIN MATIBAG SANDIGANBAYAN SENATOR JINGGOY ESTRADA FLOOD CONTROL PLUNDER
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