De Lima: We had a strong case vs. Sen. Jinggoy

Following Senator Jinggoy Estrada's acquittal from a plunder charge by the Sandiganbayan, former Senator Leila de Lima on Friday maintained that there was a strong case against him when the complaint was filed in 2014. 

“I believe that we had a strong case vs. Sen. Jinggoy when the DOJ-NBI Special Task Force filed the plunder complaint against him with the Ombudsman,” she said in a statement. 

De Lima was secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) at the time the plunder charges against Estrada and senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Juan Ponce Enrile, along with businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, were filed in connection with the pork barrel scam.

“This was buttressed by the statements of the middlewoman Ruby Tuason who said she dealt directly with the Senator and Napoles insofar as his PDAF funds were concerned,” De Lima said.

“Even Benhur Luy stated he personally delivered Jinggoy's kickbacks to his secretary, Pauline Labayen, who had since then gone missing.”

De Lima said she is curious why the evidence was deemed insufficient to support a conviction.

Despite this, De Lima said she accepted the Sandiganbayan’s ruling that found Estrada guilty of direct and indirect bribery instead.

According to the former senator, there is a chance that the Supreme Court may modify the judgment to an acquittal or a plunder conviction should Estrada file an appeal.

“Of course, I have yet to read the decision to find out whether Sen. Jinggoy risks a plunder conviction with the SC if he still appeals the SB decision convicting him only of bribery,” De Lima, a lawyer, said.

She said the judgment of the anti-graft court is “opened wide for modifications” without violating the rule on double jeopardy. 

Estrada has welcomed his acquittal, saying it was a vindication of his name.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Estrada will remain as senator despite his bribery conviction, stressing that the latter still has legal remedies available to him. —Joahna Lei Casilao/KBK, GMA Integrated News