Jinggoy surrenders at Camp Crame after court issues arrest warrant

Published June 23, 2014 12:05pm

(Updated 2 p.m.) Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday turned himself in to the Philippine National Police shortly after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued a warrant of arrest against him and several others in connection with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam.

Estrada, who was charged with plunder and graft, arrived at the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame around noon accompanied by his parents, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph "Erap" Estrada and former Senator Luisa "Loi" Ejercito Estrada.

The younger Estrada was also accompanied by his wife Precy Vitug-Ejercito and four children: Janella Marie, Joseph Luis Manuel, Julian Emilio, and Julienne.

Estrada has been accused of pocketing P183.79 million in kickbacks from dealings with fake non-government organizations (NGOs) from 2004 to 2012.

The NGOs were allegedly put up by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam. The Ombudsman earlier said Estrada chose bogus NGOs as "project partners" for livelihood projects financed by his Priority Development Assistance Fund.

Motion for bail

Shortly after he surrendered, Estrada's lawyers filed a motion for bail before the Sandiganbayan, noting that “evidence of guilt is absent and at worst is not strong.”

Plunder is a non-bailable offense if strong evidence of guilt exists. Estrada's lawyers argued that the prosecution in the case has failed to prove that strong evidence exists.

The motion also further qualified that Estrada is not a flight risk.

“He is a movie actor and a celebrity. He is easily recognizable, making it impossible for him to depart any airport or port. He has always maintained that he will face charges,” the motion read.

Awaiting commitment order

In an interview with reporters, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac said Estrada surrendered to PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group head Director Benjamin Magalong.

Inside the Camp Crame multipurpose hall, Estrada underwent the regular booking process where his fingerprints and mugshots were taken, Sindac said.

Despite the incessant noise of the media outside the multipurpose hall, the PNP spokesman said the atmosphere inside during the booking procedure was "quiet and peaceful."

Sindac explained that the CIDG team will bring Estrada's warrant of arrest back to Sandiganbayan proving that the senator surrendered to the police.

Meanwhile, Estrada will be staying at the PNP multipurpose hall while awaiting his custody commitment order, which contains the details on where he will be detained.

"Maganda naman ang kalagayan niya," said Sindac when asked about the senator's disposition.

Second after Bong

Estrada is the second senator to be detained in Camp Crame in connection with the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.

Last Friday, Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla surrendered to the Sandiganbayan after the anti-graft court issued a warrant of arrest against him. Revilla then proceeded to the PNP headquarters for detention at the Custodial Center.

Both Estrada and Revilla have denied the charges against them.

The Sandiganbayan has yet to issue a resolution ordering the arrest of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile in connection with the plunder and graft charges against him. — RSJ/KBK/KG, GMA News

Tags: bantaykaban, jinggoyestrada, porkbarrelscam