Jinggoy Estrada says DOJ plunder raps ‘baffling and unjust’

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday called the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recommendations of a plunder case against him “baffling and unjust.”

On Monday, the DOJ recommended the filing of plunder, graft, and bribery charges against Estrada due to his alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.

“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 budget,” Estrada said in a statement.

READ: Jinggoy Estrada faces graft, plunder raps separately

The senator added that he filed on May 15 an omnibus motion to reopen the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe on the flood control probe. 

Estrada explained: “The motion seeks to allow the presentation and consideration of additional evidence and matters crucial to a fair and objective determination of the complaints.”The NBI previously filed several criminal complaints against certain senators and some Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) executives for the infrastructure scandal. 

In the 2025 flood control probe, DPWH former Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez accused Estrada of leading a move to allocate P300 million to Bulacan’s first district projects in exchange for 30 percent in “kickbacks.”

Estrada, however, denied the accusation saying there is no evidence connecting him to the alleged corruption in the flood control projects.

He echoed this in his sentiment on Tuesday.

“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,” he pressed. /mr