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

JUST IN. The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division denies Senator Jinggoy Estrada's bid to junk his graft case.

The division denied his motion to quash information, and other related motions, in a resolution on Thursday, June 4.

Estrada will now be subjected to arraignment, where the court will read him his information. He will also enter either a guilty or not guilty plea. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler

JUST IN. The Sandiganbayan 5th Division partially grants former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan's request for hospital arrest. Interior chief Jonvic Remulla says it's just temporary.

"It is a temporary measure given by the Sandigan. A formal medical diagnosis will be forwarded to the Sandiganbayan," Remulla tells Rappler.

Bonoan has been confined in the hospital since his arrest on June 1. As of yesterday, he is confined in a hospital in Pasig City and has undergone angiogram, according to his lawyer.

Senate's quorum issue reaches the Supreme Court

High school teacher Barry Tayam files a petition with the Supreme Court on Friday, June 5, asking the High Court to declare the Senate's June 3 quorum valid, including the actions taken there.

The new majority bloc led by Senate president Win Gatchalian says their basis for reaching a quorum even with just 12 members was the Avelino v. Cuenco case of 1949. In the said decision, the SC declared the quorum of 12 legal because the available senators at the time was only 23.

BREAKING: A Malolos City, Bulacan Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued a warrant of arrest against contractor Curlee Discaya and fellow accused over their malversation case that stemmed from the flood control corruption.

Malolos City RTC Branch 20 Presiding Judge Mirasol Dychingco ordered Discaya’s arrest and his fellow accused identified as:

Merg Jaron Laus

Brice Hernandez

Jaypee Mendoza

Ernesto Galang

Norberto Santos

Lorenzo Pagtalunan

Juanito Mendoza

Floralyn Simbulan

Roma Angeline Rimando

Cezarah Rowena Discaya