BREAKING NEWS. Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan are facing plunder and graft charges for their alleged involvement in the flood control corruption scandal. 

The Ombudsman filed the cases with the Sandiganbayan on Thursday, May 28.

This is Estrada's third plunder case as he previously faced charges over the jueteng scandal and pork barrel scam. He was acquitted in these cases.

NEWS UPDATE: The Department of Justice's National Prosecution Service confirms it received the Philippine National Police's obstruction of justice complaint against Senator Robin Padilla in relation to Senator Bato dela Rosa's escape.

Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon confirms to reporters that they received the complaint around late afternoon on Thursday, May 28. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler

Remulla’s options to Jinggoy: Arrest or surrender

Interior chief Jonvic Remulla tells Rappler that he has already talked to Senator Jinggoy Estrada, saying he gave him two options — be arrested or surrender to the authorities — once the Sandiganbayan issues warrants.

Remulla adds that Estrada told him that he needs medical attention.

“He mentioned that he needed knee replacement surgery but I said that would be for the Sandiganbayan’s appreciation,” the interior chief said.

Meanwhile, Remulla says the police will immediately implement the warrants as soon as the Sandiganbayan issues them. He adds that it’s up to the Sandiganbayan where to detain Estrada while the trial is ongoing.

“We do not have the power to recommend the venue of incarceration. The Sandiganbayan chooses according to its list of requirements. Primary of which is the proximity to the trial venue,” he explains.

LOOK: Arrest warrant out for Senator Jinggoy Estrada and ex-DPWH chief Bonoan

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has released the arrest warrant against Senator Jinggoy Estrada and ex-Department of Public Works and Highway Secretary Manuel Bonoan for their graft cases in relation to the flood control scandal.

The anti-graft court has set a P90,000-bail for each.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada to post bail before Sandiganbayan

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, in a statement on Friday, May 29, says he will be personally post bail for his graft case before the Sandiganbayan.

This comes after the Sandiganbayan’s Second Division issued a warrant of arrest against the Senator in relation to his involvement in the flood control scandal.

“I intend to avail myself of every lawful means to defend myself and clear my name,” Estrada says.

According to Senator Jinggoy Estrada's counsel, Noel Ostrea, the embattled senator is on his way to the Sandiganbayan to post bail.

Based on the understanding of Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s camp, the police will no longer arrest him because the lawmaker will surrender to the Sandiganbayan 2nd Division to post bail for his graft case, says Estrada’s lawyer Noel Ostrea.

Under the rules, the police have discretion on whether or not to arrest a person facing a bailable offense if he or she is on his or her way to court to surrender and post bail. | via Jairo Bolledo/Rappler

Senator Jinggoy Estrada posts P90,000-bail for his graft case.

Since he has no warrant yet on his plunder case, Estrada will remain free for now. | via Jairo Bolledo/Rappler

Sandiganbayan 5th Division yet to issue warrant for Jinggoy’s plunder case

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice and 2nd Division chairperson Geraldine Faith Econg says the 5th Division is still deliberating on Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s plunder case because of pending motions so they have yet to decide whether to issue a warrant or not.

Earlier, Estrada’s lawyer Noel Ostrea said they filed motions to ask the anti-graft court to defer its issuance of warrants. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler

Bonoan posts bail for graft case

Former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan posts bail for his graft case, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg confirms. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler

Jinggoy Estrada files new motions with Sandigabayan to question plunder, graft cases

Senator Jinggoy Estrada files an urgent omnibus motion ad cautelam – which includes a motion to quash the information and/or to remand the case to investigation – with the Sandiganbayan on Monday, June 1. On Friday, he also filed a motion to withhold the issuance of warrants against him.

What does this mean? Basically, Estrada is questioning the legality of his cases, which is a normal recourse for accused.

Can the 5th Division, which holds his plunder and graft cases, still issue a warrant? Yes, the division may still release its warrant to arrest Estrada and then decide on the pending motions later on.

Estrada arrives at PNP headquarters

Senator Jinggoy Estrada arrives at Camp Crame in Quezon City to undergo booking procedures after his surrender. This includes getting his mugshot and thumb marks. With him is Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

As the court will close by 5 pm, Estrada may have to wait the next day for police to submit a return of warrant to the Sandiganbayan. A return of warrant is a mandatory report detailing the execution of an arrest warrant. Once submitted, the Sandiganbayan determines the detention facility that will hold Estrada. | via @Dwight de Leon - Rappler

JUST IN. Senator Jinggoy Estrada will be detained at New Quezon City Jail in Payatas over his plunder and graft cases, the Sandiganbayan 5th Division confirms on Monday, June 1.

Former senator Bong Revilla, Estrada's fellow accused in the pork barrel scam, is also detained there, along with other accused facing flood control-related cases.

Jinggoy Estrada's arraignment for 2nd Division graft case set on June 2

The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division sets the arraignment proceeding for Senator Jinggoy Estrada's one count of graft on Tuesday, June 2.

During arraignment, Estrada will plead either guilty or not guilty. If he refuses to enter a plea, the court will enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.

JUST IN: Former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan will be placed under hospital arrest due to hypertension for an “indefinite” period of time here at Camp Crame after he is charged at the Sandiganbayan, DILG chief Jonvic Remulla says. | via @Dwight de Leon - Rappler

Cayetano to Senate minority: Will you stand for independence?

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday, June 1, questioned the minority’s stand on the Senate’s independence, just a few hours after the arrest of fellow senator and majority bloc member Jinggoy Estrada.

“I am speaking truth that each senator already knows — the independence of this institution, and the legal standing of any of its members, are not currencies. The day they become things to be traded is the day that the Senate is diminished,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

He added: “So I put one question to you, not as the majority but as the chamber: will you stand for the Senate’s independence?”

Ombudsman responds to Jinggoy: Let’s not mix accountability with politics

Responding to Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s claim that his plunder and graft cases are politically motivated, the Office of the Ombudsman said politics should never be mixed with accountability.

“Kung may mga taong nagtatangkang palabuin ang linya sa pagitan ng dalawang ito, dapat din silang panagutin. Walang sinumang pwedeng magdesisyon sa ngalan ng Ombudsman pagdating sa mga nakabinbing kaso, dahil ang paggawa nito ay maituturing ding isang uri ng korapsyon,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.

“Matagal nang iniimbestigahan ang mga kasong ito. Sa katunayan, isinasapubliko naman ang bawat hakbang ng proseso,” he added.

Jinggoy Estrada arrives at Sandiganbayan for arraignment

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, in handcuffs, arrives at the Sandiganbayan at around 1:20 pm on Tuesday, June 2, for his arraignment.

This is the stage of the proceedings where he will enter a guilty or not guilty plea. If pleaded not guilty, the trial continues. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler

UPDATES ON JINGGOY ESTRADA'S GRAFT CASE:

- Arraignment deferred to Thursday, June 4, due to Senator Jinggoy Estrada's pending motion to dismiss his case or reopen the investigation.
- The deferment was also partly because of former DPWH undersecretary Manuel Bonoan's health. His blood pressure was 160/90 when he attended the Tuesday conference.
- Estrada also asks the court if he can stop wearing BJMP detainee uniform and be free from handcuffs when attending hearings.

JUST IN. The Sandiganbayan 7th Division junks ex-speaker Martin Romualdez's motion to lift his travel ban. Romualdez is facing complaints over his alleged involvement in the flood control corruption.

"Finally, the risk of flight cannot be disregarded. Rep. Romualdez has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind the flood control scam. Given the gravity of the allegations and the severe penalties that may result, including imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of assets," 7th Division chairperson Associate Justice Lorifel Lacap Pahimna

"Rep. Romualdez clearly possesses sufficient motive and opportunity to evade the jurisdiction of the authorities should he be allowed to leave the country," she added. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler