MANILA, Philippines – Tinawag ni Senador Jinggoy Estrada nitong Martes na “baffling” at “unjust” ang rekomendasyon ng Department of Justice (DOJ) na magsampa ng kasong plunder at graft laban sa kanya at ilang opisyal kaugnay ng umano’y bid rigging sa mga proyekto ng gobyerno kapalit ng kickbacks.
Ayon kay Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, hiniling ng DOJ sa Ombudsman na kasuhan si Estrada, dating DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, at iba pang personalidad kabilang sina Bong Dinglasan (DPWH Assistant District Engineer, North Manila), Denryl Caesar Cortuna (Assistant District Engineer, North Manila), Manny Bulusan (District Engineer, South Manila), Arturo L. Gonzales, Jr., at ilang John/Jane Does.
Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ni Estrada: “This is an unfortunate development.”
“I find this baffling and unjust, considering that the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO) categorically stated that there is no record showing that I introduced any insertions into the 2025 national budget,” aniya.
Dagdag niya, ang kawalan umano ng rekord ng sinasabing insertions ang nagtulak sa kanya na maghain ng omnibus motion sa DOJ upang muling buksan ang preliminary investigation ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) kaugnay ng flood management projects.
“Due process and fairness demand that all relevant evidence and official findings be fully considered before conclusions are drawn,” ani Estrada.
Idinagdag pa niya: “Nonetheless, I remain committed to addressing these allegations through the proper legal processes, and I am confident that the truth, supported by facts and official records, will ultimately prevail.” RNT/MND
