Business · Philippines Bureau
Sandiganbayan suspends Senator Jinggoy Estrada for 90 days in plunder case
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has suspended Senator Jinggoy Estrada for three months over allegations involving illegal budgetary insertions and project allocations. The case centers on P573 million in questionable infrastructure spending under the Department of Public Works and Highways.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Monday imposed a 90-day suspension on Senator Jinggoy Estrada in connection with a plunder case involving alleged irregularities in public works spending.
According to the anti-graft court's decision, Estrada's case stems from accusations of orchestrating an "intricate mechanism involving illegal budgetary insertions and project allocations" within the Department of Public Works and Highways' infrastructure portfolio. The questionable transactions are valued at P573 million and were allegedly conducted during fiscal year 2025.
The suspension marks a significant development in the case against the longtime senator, whose political career has previously been marked by legal challenges. The 90-day suspension period will require Estrada to step back from his senatorial duties during the proceedings.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about budget manipulation and project allocation irregularities within major government infrastructure agencies. The Sandiganbayan's action represents the court's preliminary assessment of the allegations' merit as the case proceeds through the judicial system.