Sandiganbayan suspends Jinggoy Estrada over flood control-related graft case
By Jel Santos
At A Glance
- On May 28, Ombudsman prosecutors brought plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Estrada and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan in relation to alleged anomalous budget insertions and kickback payments involving DPWH infrastructure and flood-control projects financed under the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations.
(MB FILE PHOTO)
The Sandiganbayan Second Division has ordered a 90-day preventive suspension of Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada over a graft case pending before the anti-graft court in relation to the alleged multi-million flood control kickback scheme.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 16, the Sandiganbayan said the order was contained in a resolution involving Criminal Case No. E-SB26CRM0004 for alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“In a Resolution dated today, June 16, 2026, the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan ordered the Preventive Suspension of Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Pimentel Ejercito Estrada in connection with Criminal Case No. E-SB26CRM0004 for Violation of Sec. 3(e), R.A. 3019, as amended,” it stated.
“ACCORDINGLY, in view of the foregoing, this Court hereby ORDERS the suspension pendente lite of accused Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy’ P. Ejercito Estrada from his present position as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, and from any other public office which he may now or hereafter be holding for a period of ninety (90) days from receipt of this Resolution, which shall take effect upon the finality of this Resolution,” it added.
As of posting time, Estrada’s camp has yet to issue a statement regarding the senator’s suspension.
Estrada was arraigned before the Sandiganbayan Second Division on June 4 on a graft charge linked to alleged irregularities in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects. The anti-graft court entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf after he declined to enter a plea.
On May 28, Ombudsman prosecutors brought plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Estrada and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan in relation to alleged anomalous budget insertions and kickback payments involving DPWH infrastructure and flood-control projects financed under the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations.
The two officials are likewise respondents in a separate plunder case pending before the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division, together with three DPWH engineers, arising from the same set of allegations.