MANILA, Philippines- Ibinasura ng Sandiganbayan ang apela ni Senator Jinggoy Estrada na i-dismiss ang 11 counts ng kasong katiwalian na isinampa laban sa kanya kaugnay sa umano’y maling paggamit nito sa P183 million na discretionary public fund o pork barrel.
Nakasaad sa 99 pahinang resolusyon ng anti-graft court, ang testimonya ng mga testigo ng prosekusyon at ng mga empleyado ni Janet Lim Napoles na sina Benhur Luy, Marina Sula at Merlina Suñas ang nagpakita kung paano nalihis ang Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) ni Estrada sa umano’y non-government organization ni Napoles na nagsilbi umanong “project implementers” sa pekeng government projects.
Ayon sa Sandiganbayan, naipakita sa pamamagitan ng testimonya ng mga whistleblower, testigo at mga documentary evidence ang hayagang kilos ng mga akusado.
“Upon release of the SARO, Napoles orders her employees to prepare the second half of the commission, which is delivered to Estrada or through his authorized representatives, [Pauline] Labayen, [Ruby] Tuason, Ranillo, and Tantoco, either at the JLN (Janet Lim Napoles) Office, Senate, or Estrada’s residence,” nakasaad sa resolusyon.
Ang testimonya ng prosecution witnesses ay suportado ng 2012 Commission on Audit (COA) Special Audit Report sa PDAF mula 2007 hanggang 2009.
Kabilang sa nadiskubre ay walang totoong opisina ang mga NGO.
“In total, the court is convinced that the plaintiff clearly proved that Estrada’s PDAF was systematically pocketed, was divided among the accused, and nothing went to the supposed beneficiaries of the PDAF-funded agricultural and livelihood programs. Wherefore, in view of the foregoing, this Court resolves as follows: Demurrer to Evidence for Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy’ P. Ejercito Estrada filed on February 22, 2024, and Motion to Dismiss and Supplement to Demurrer to Evidence filed on September 19, 2024, of accused Jose ‘Jinggoy’ P. Ejercito Estrada, are denied,” inihayag ng Sandiganbayan. Teresa Tavares
