Politics · Philippines Bureau
Estrada declines plea in graft and plunder cases at Sandiganbayan
Senator Jinggoy Estrada refused to enter a plea during his arraignment on graft and plunder charges before the anti-graft court on Thursday. The presiding judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Senator Jinggoy Estrada declined to enter a plea during his arraignment in graft and plunder cases before the Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division on Thursday. Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses, who chairs the division, entered a plea of not guilty for the senator in his absence of a response.
Estrada appeared in the courtroom on crutches for the scheduled court proceeding. The senator has faced multiple criminal charges related to allegations of illegal activities, which he has previously denied.
The Sandiganbayan, the country's primary court for trying cases involving public officials accused of crimes committed in relation to their office, continues to handle the case. The entry of the not guilty plea by the court ensures the proceedings can move forward with trial preparations.
The senator's legal team has not made public statements regarding his defense strategy or the reasons for declining to enter a personal plea during the arraignment. The case remains pending before the anti-graft court as further hearings are scheduled.