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Senator Jinggoy Estrada's Graft Case: Court Enters Not Guilty Plea
Jinggoy Estrada refuses to plead; court enters not guilty plea in graft
Image: Inquirer
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, facing graft charges, opted to remain silent during his arraignment, prompting the Sandiganbayan court to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf. The case involves allegations of illegal budgetary insertions within the Department of Public Works and Highways for fiscal year 2025.
- 01Senator Jinggoy Estrada did not enter a plea during his arraignment, leading the court to record a not guilty plea.
- 02The court denied Estrada's motion to dismiss the graft case against him.
- 03Estrada and his co-accused, Manuel Bonoan, posted bail of ₱90,000 each as graft is bailable.
- 04The graft charges relate to illegal budgetary insertions and project allocations in the DPWH for fiscal year 2025.
- 05Estrada and Bonoan are currently in custody due to a plunder warrant, which is a non-bailable offense.
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In a recent court proceeding, Senator Jinggoy Estrada faced graft charges but chose to remain silent when asked to enter a plea. Consequently, the Sandiganbayan Second Division, led by presiding justice Geraldine Faith Econg, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The court also rejected Estrada's motion to dismiss the case, allowing the arraignment to proceed. Estrada and his co-accused, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official Manuel Bonoan, each posted bail of ₱90,000 since graft charges are bailable. However, Bonoan's arraignment was postponed due to his hospitalization for health issues. The graft case against them is linked to alleged illegal budgetary insertions and project allocations within the DPWH's infrastructure portfolio for fiscal year 2025. Both Estrada and Bonoan are currently in custody due to an arrest warrant for plunder, a serious charge that carries life imprisonment if convicted.
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The case highlights issues of corruption within the Philippine government, particularly in infrastructure projects.
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