Senator Jinggoy Estrada voluntarily surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday, June 1, following the issuance of a second warrant of arrest by the Sandiganbayan in connection with a non-bailable plunder case.
Estrada proceeded to the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) – CIDG shortly after a press briefing, where he confirmed that he would face the charges filed against him over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
“I will not seek Senate custody. Hindi ko gagamitin ang Senado bilang panangga laban sa mga alegasyon sa akin,” Estrada said.
“I will be proceeding now to the CIDG to voluntarily surrender myself,” he added.
The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division earlier issued the arrest order against Estrada in connection with allegations of plunder and graft involving purported kickbacks from infrastructure projects.
Estrada said he was prepared to face the consequences of the case, stressing that he would not be intimidated or yield to political pressure.
“If this is the price I must pay for the decisions I have made and the principles I have chosen to uphold, then I am prepared to face the consequences, however difficult they may be, especially for my family. I will not be broken by accusations, nor will I yield to political pressure. I will meet these charges head on, defend my honor through due process, and place my faith in the truth,” he said.
It marked the second warrant issued against him within four days.
Aside from Estrada, former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and three former Department of Public Works and Highways-NCR officials are also facing arrest in connection with the same flood control controversy.
Earlier in the day, Estrada’s legal team had filed motions before the Sandiganbayan seeking the consolidation of cases pending before its Second and Fifth Divisions, the deferment of arrest warrants, the quashal of informations, and the remand of the cases for reinvestigation or completion of preliminary investigation.
"I respectfully urge the Court to first give due consideration to the motions I have already filed and to uphold the principles of due process," he said.
"Hindi ito pag-iwas sa pananagutan sa batas, kundi pagtindig sa aking karapatan sa due process at sa pagkakataong maihain at maiparinig ang aking panig sa tamang paraan. Buo ang aking loob na harapin ang kasong ito at patunayan na walang katotohanan ang mga ibinibintang sa akin," Estrada added.
