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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Jinggoy seeks bail in plunder case, says evidence of guilt 'not strong'

Jinggoy seeks bail in plunder case, says evidence of guilt 'not strong'

Published Jul 30, 2026 10:22 am  |  Updated Jul 30, 2026 02:11 pm

At A Glance

  • Estrada is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas.
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
Senator Jinggoy Estrada has asked the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to grant him bail in his pending plunder case, arguing that he is entitled to provisional liberty because the “evidence of his guilt is not strong.”
Estrada is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas.
In his seven-page motion, Estrada argued that he is entitled to bail because an accused has a greater incentive to flee only when the evidence of guilt is strong, whereas weak evidence presents little risk of flight.
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
“[T]here has been no showing that the evidence against accused Estrada is strong. The Honorable Court issued a warrant of arrest against him on the basis merely of ‘probable cause,’ which is a much lower standard of proof than ‘strong’ evidence,” it added.
Estrada maintained that the prosecution has the burden of demonstrating that the evidence of guilt is strong, in keeping with the presumption of innocence accorded to every accused.
In his prayer, Estrada urged the Fifth Division to grant him bail in an amount the court may fix and to order his release once bail has been posted.
“WHEREFORE, premises considered, accused Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada respectfully prays that the Honorable Court immediately admit him to bail in such amount as the Honorable Court may fix and order his release upon posting of the bail,” it read.
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
Earlier, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division denied Estrada’s motion to fix bail in his plunder case over the alleged flood control irregularities. 
In a July 24 ruling penned by Associate Justice Gener M. Gito, the anti-graft court said it could not determine the amount of bail without first resolving whether the prosecution’s evidence of guilt is strong.
On May 28, the Ombudsman filed plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Estrada and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan over alleged illegal budget insertions and purported kickbacks linked to DPWH infrastructure and flood-control projects funded under the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.

Related Tags

Jinggoy Estrada Sandiganbayan Plunder Case Bail Motion New Quezon City Jail Barangay Payatas Provisional Liberty Evidence Of Guilt Philippine Senate Anti-Graft Court
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