The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has denied Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s request to attend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, ruling that his participation would amount to a prolonged leave from detention.
In a seven-page resolution dated July 9, 2026, the anti-graft court said Estrada’s motion lacked merit, stressing that the scheduled impeachment proceedings do not qualify as an emergency or compelling reason to grant temporary liberty.
The court cited the Senate impeachment court’s pre-trial order issued June 29, which set hearings three times a week beginning July 6 for a total of 92 trial days — 62 days allotted for the prosecution and 30 days for the defense. The trial is expected to span about 31 weeks.
“Such a prolonged and recurring arrangement cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered an emergency or compelling temporary leave from detention,” the court said.
It added that allowing Estrada to attend the proceedings regularly would effectively grant him privileges inconsistent with his detention status.
“Allowing the accused-movant to attend the impeachment trial would virtually make him a free man with all the privileges appurtenant to his position,” the resolution read. “It would not only elevate his status to that of a special class but also make a mockery of the purposes of preventive detention.”
The court also cited previous rulings involving former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and former Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, emphasizing that granting such requests would undermine the restrictions inherent in lawful detention.
“In sum, the motion must perforce be denied,” the court said.
Estrada had filed the motion on June 29, seeking permission to attend the impeachment trial of Duterte, who is facing charges before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
The senator is currently detained while facing a non-bailable P573-million plunder case and two counts of graft in connection with his alleged involvement in irregularities tied to flood control projects.
The Sandiganbayan ordered that Estrada remain in detention as his trial continues.
