Jinggoy Estrada to remain senator until Sandigan ruling is final – Zubiri

FILE PHOTO: Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada during the December 4, 2023 plenary session. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Friday, January 19, 2024, that Estrada will remain a senator until the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division’s ruling on his case becomes final. (Joseph Vidal/Senate Social Media Unit)

MANILA, Philippines — Jinggoy Estrada will remain a senator until the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division’s ruling on his case becomes final, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Friday.

The anti-graft court cleared Estrada of plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam case but convicted him of one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery.

READ: Jinggoy Estrada acquitted of plunder, convicted of bribery

Estrada was sentenced to a jail term of eight to nine years for direct bribery and two to three years for each count of indirect bribery. The court also suspended him from holding public office, temporarily disqualified him from exercising the right to vote, and asked him to pay a P3 million fine.

“The Senate takes due notice and respects the Sandiganbayan decision on the cases filed against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, a sitting senator of the Philippines with a mandate emanating from over 15 million voters,” Zubiri said in a statement.

The Senate leader recognized, however, that remedies are still available for Estrada under existing laws.

“Until and unless the decision becomes final and executory, Sen. Jinggoy is duty-bound to continue performing his functions as Senator of the Republic,” Zubiri said.

READ: Jinggoy Estrada says plunder case acquittal ‘a vindication of my name’

In an ambush interview following the plunder case promulgation, Estrada vowed to use all legal solutions to overturn his bribery convictions.

“He has the right to exhaust all of these,” Zubiri added, noting that Estrada could still file a motion for reconsideration with the Sandiganbayan and an appeal by certiorari with the Supreme Court.

Zubiri’s sentiments were echoed by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, who said that Estrada’s conviction is not yet final and executory.

“We believe that Senator Jinggoy has the right to pursue all legal remedies concerning the verdict,” Villanueva said in a statement on Friday.

“It is not yet final and executory,” he also said. “Thus, he can continue to fulfill his duties as a duly elected Senator of the Republic.”

Nevertheless, Villanueva also believes that Estrada will continue to focus and do his job as a member of the upper chamber.

“We firmly believe that he will continue to stay focused on his job and carry out his duties and responsibilities in service to the nation, especially to the 15,108,625 Filipinos, who entrusted him with their votes and confidence,” Villanueva said.