Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Friday disputed the claim that, following his arrest, he can no longer participate as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“The issue is far from settled,” Estrada said in a statement shared on social media.

He said the legal proceedings against him pending litigation remain ongoing. The senator is yet to file his comment and opposition, and avail himself of legal remedies. Hence, claims that he can no longer perform his Constitutional duties as senator-judge are “premature” and “baseless.”

“Until a final and binding ruling is rendered, any assertion that I have been stripped of my authority to discharge my constitutional duties as a senator-judge is premature, baseless, and undermines the integrity of the impeachment process itself. Those claiming otherwise display a troubling disregard for due process and the orderly administration of justice,” he said.

He said it was “regrettable” that a number of “self-proclaimed legal experts” are apparently more interested in persuading the public of the merits of their stance than in respecting the Senate rules and judicial processes.

“The rule of law demands restraint, discernment, and respect for due process—not speculation, conjecture, partisan rhetoric, or personal interpretations presented as settled legal truth,” he said.

Estrada said these people seem to have forgotten that he has served as a senator-judge for another impeachment trial and is familiar with the Senate court’s rules, processes, and responsibilities in ousting impeachable officers.

As a lawmaker, he said he always observes court authority and legal processes grounded in Philippine law. He appealed to the public, especially those in legal professions, to defer the verdict on his status to the authorities.

“Patuloy kong igagalang ang proseso ng batas, ipagtatanggol ang aking mga karapatan sa pamamagitan ng mga paraang naaayon sa batas, at gagampanan ang aking mga tungkulin alinsunod sa Konstitusyon at sa umiiral na mga batas ng ating bansa,” he said.

Senator Estrada was arrested on June 1, after being issued an arrest warrant by the Sandiganbayan 5th Division over a graft and plunder case.