World · Philippines Bureau
Estrada refuses to enter plea in graft and plunder case
Senator Jose 'Jinggoy' Estrada declined to enter a plea Thursday before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on charges of graft and plunder. The senator faces accusations of receiving over half a billion pesos in kickbacks from infrastructure projects.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Senator Jose 'Jinggoy' Estrada stood firm in declining to enter a plea to graft and plunder charges during proceedings before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Thursday.
Estrada is accused of receiving a total of P573.75 million in kickbacks related to infrastructure and flood control projects spanning the National Capital Region, Bulacan, and Occidental Mindoro.
The senator's refusal to enter a plea marks another procedural development in the long-running case. The Sandiganbayan, the specialized court handling corruption cases, will determine the next steps in the proceedings against the high-ranking official.
The charges relate to allegations of systematic corruption involving public works projects. Estrada continues to face scrutiny as investigations into the matter persist, with the judicial process advancing through the proper legal channels.