Sandiganbayan orders 90-day preventive suspension vs Jinggoy

THE Sandiganbayan on Tuesday ordered the suspension of Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, Jr. from public office for 90 days amid his graft and plunder cases linked to alleged kickbacks from mitigation projects.

In a resolution dated June 16, the Sandiganbayan Second Division ordered his suspension of 90 days upon receipt of the resolution.

On June 1, Mr. Estrada surrendered to the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him.

Mr. Estrada released a statement shortly after the suspension order, saying that he remains open to availing all legal remedies, reiterating that he respects the due process.

“I have already taken clear and deliberate steps to demonstrate that I will not, and will never, use the powers and privileges of my office to shield myself from the allegations being hurled against me,” he said. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel