Sandiganbayan Refuses to Consolidate Plunder and Graft Cases

Against Senator Jinggoy Estrada

The Sandiganbayan 5th Division rejected Senator Jinggoy Estrada's motion to consolidate his plunder and graft cases under one division.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, a member of the Philippine Senate, has been accused of plunder and graft in connection with the flood control scandal. His bid to consolidate the cases was based on the argument that the plunder case shares a common question of fact with the anti-graft cases. However, the Sandiganbayan said that a consolidation of these cases would defeat the purpose of consolidation and impede the progress of the latter.

Estrada is facing one count of plunder and two counts of graft over alleged corruption in flood control projects. He has been implicated in the flood control mess, his third time to face plunder charges. He was acquitted in his first two plunder cases linked to the jueteng scandal and the pork barrel scam.

The Sandiganbayan 5th Division denied Estrada's motion seeking to consolidate his plunder and graft cases under one division. Estrada is charged with one count of graft before the 2nd Division and a separate graft charge and one plunder case before the 5th Division.

Estrada's case is just one of the many high-profile cases against government officials in the Philippines. The country has been grappling with corruption for years, with the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan leading the charge.

### Key Facts

  • The Sandiganbayan 5th Division rejected Senator Jinggoy Estrada's motion to consolidate his plunder and graft cases under one division.
  • Estrada is facing one count of plunder and two counts of graft over alleged corruption in flood control projects.
  • He has been implicated in the flood control mess, his third time to face plunder charges.
  • He was acquitted in his first two plunder cases linked to the jueteng scandal and the pork barrel scam.
  • Estrada is charged with one count of graft before the 2nd Division and a separate graft charge and one plunder case before the 5th Division.
  • The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group enforced the warrant at the Senate, where Estrada held a news briefing before he went with PNP-CIDG personnel to Camp Crame for booking and other legal procedures.
  • The Senate majority led by Alan Peter Cayetano boycott the plenary session scheduled at 5 pm in protest of Estrada's arrest.
  • The Department of Justice (DOJ) recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman the filing of plunder and graft cases against Estrada and former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan over alleged flood control corruption.
  • Estrada is accused of receiving kickbacks worth P355 million in flood control projects in Hagonoy and Malolos, Bulacan.