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JINGGOY. Senator Jinggoy Estrada, in a yellow detainee uniform and handcuffs, arrives at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on June 4, 2026, to attend arraignment proceedings for his alleged graft case related to government flood control projects.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
(2nd UPDATE) In a resolution on June 16, the anti-graft court suspends Estrada as senator for at least three months
MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division on Tuesday, June 16, suspended Senator Jinggoy Estrada for at least three months over his graft case in relation to the flood control corruption.
“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,” a portion of the 2nd Division resolution read.
On June 4, when the 2nd Division arraigned Estrada, the justices mentioned his possible suspension and asked him to comment within 10 days. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, mandates that an incumbent public officer shall be suspended if he/she is facing a graft case.
“Even prior to the issuance of the Sandiganbayan’s order today, I have already taken clear and deliberate steps to demonstrate that I will not, and will never, use the powers and privileges of my office to shield myself from the allegations being hurled against me,” Estrada said in a statement. “At this stage, I remain open to availing myself of all legal remedies under the law.”
Estrada is facing one count of graft before the 2nd Division, and one count of plunder and another count of graft before the 5th Division, due to his alleged involvement in a kickback scheme in flood control projects.
The Office of the Ombudsman charged him on May 28, and he was ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan on May 29 and June 1. He has been detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas since June 1.
Estrada is the highest-ranking official to be arrested over the multibillion-peso flood control corruption.
When the Ombudsman charged Estrada, the constitutional body said there was an “intricate mechanism” allegedly involving illegal budget insertions and project allocations at the Department of Public Works and Highways in 2025.
They also discovered that funds were “deliberately” funneled into specific infrastructure projects “in exchange for predetermined commission fees or kickbacks.”
“Case records point to an accumulated sum of illicit payouts amounting to an aggregate sum of over P573 million, which were systematically delivered to the principal respondent, Senator Jinggoy Estrada,” the Ombudsman said. – Rappler.com
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Read the full article at Rappler →📄Source document: Sandiganbayan 2nd Division ruling
3 reports
RapplerIndependentCenter5 days agoThe Sandiganbayan 2nd Division has suspended Senator Jinggoy Estrada for at least three months due to a graft case involving flood control corruption. Other news includes Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies requesting the Supreme Court to recognize him as Senate president, former security aides of ex-congressman Zaldy Co reiterating corruption allegations, Ateneo de Manila University considering withdrawing from the UAAP, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressing openness to a Visiting Forces Agreement with Germany.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on legal proceedings against a prominent politician without overtly favoring any side. It presents facts about the suspension of Jinggoy Estrada and other political developments neutrally, without apparent ideological framing or biased language.
Official sources cited
- government Sandiganbayan 2nd Division ruling
- government Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's request to Supreme Court
RapplerIndependentCenter5 days ago Sandiganbayan suspends Jinggoy Estrada over graft caseSenator Jinggoy Estrada was suspended by the Sandiganbayan 2nd Division for at least three months due to his graft case involving flood control projects. The court ordered the suspension pendente lite, effective after the finality of the resolution. Estrada appeared in court in a detainee uniform and handcuffs during his arraignment on June 4.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding the legal proceedings against Senator Jinggoy Estrada without apparent bias. It reports the court's decision and includes direct quotes from the court's resolution, maintaining neutrality in tone and framing.
Official sources cited
- court Resolution of the Sandiganbayan 2nd Division
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenter5 days agoLawyer Jesus Falcis accepted a one-year suspension by the Supreme Court for making 'profane' social media posts defending his brother. He stated he is willing to pay this price for defending his family and called on the judiciary and legislature to hold top political figures to the same standards of accountability.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Falcis's statement without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on his acceptance of the suspension and his comments on accountability without taking a stance on whether the suspension was justified or unfair.
PH