Ex-Senator Jinggoy Estrada asks SC to order Sandiganbayan to dismiss graft case   

January 20, 2017

Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada has asked the Supreme Court to order the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to dismiss graft charges against him since he is facing plunder case based on a similar allegation involving his Priority Development Assistance Fund scam.

"The Sandiganbayan's refusal to dismiss the indictments against petitioner Estrada in the Graft cases, notwithstanding the indictment for plunder based on very same allegations of "overt or criminal acts" is nothing less than a defiance of this Honorable Court's rulings and an attempt to place itself and above the law and in violation of petitioner Estrada's rights," Estrada stressed in a petition.

Estrada said the Sandiganbayan committed grave abuse of discretion when it issued a resolution on July 14, 2016 and October 4, 2016, denying a plea to dismiss these graft charges.

The SC recently dismissed Estrada's appeal questioning the preliminary investigation conducted by the Ombudsman, which indicted him before the Sandiganbayan.  The SC denied the petition of Estrada questioning the arrest warrant against him.

The Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Estrada with Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile and several for plunder and graft, in connection with irregularities involving their respective pork barrel funds. Enrile is out on bail. DMS