Sandigan junks Jinggoy's plea to dismiss graft raps, enters not guilty plea

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has dismissed several motions of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada concerning his graft case over his alleged involvement in flood control projects.

The anti-graft court on Thursday, June 4, denied the motions of Estrada to quash information filed by the Ombudsman, along with the motions to dismiss with prejudice and suspend proceedings, and motion to remand the cases for reinvestigation by the Ombudsman.

He filed the motions before the anti-graft court on June 1, before he was ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan for plunder. 

With his motions dismissed, Estrada also did not enter a plea for his graft case. This prompted the anti-graft court to enter a not guilty plea with him.

The arraignment for his co-accused, former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, was postponed as he is hospitalized due to his medical condition. 

Meanwhile, for their plunder case, the anti-graft court has reset the arraignment for Estrada and Bonoan to June 30, as the court has yet to resolve their motions to dismiss criminal information against them.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder and graft cases against Estrada and Bonoan on May 28.

This is due to the alleged kickbacks received by Estrada in flood control projects, which have a total of P573 million.

Estrada denied the allegations against him. He is currently detained at the new Quezon City Jail in Payatas.