Estrada ‘baffled’ by ‘unjust’ plunder recommendation
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday called the recommendation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Office of the Ombudsman to file a plunder case against him “baffling and unjust.”
The recommendation to file plunder, graft and bribery charges against Estrada and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials is in connection with their alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.
READ: DOJ recommends plunder raps vs Estrada – Ombudsman
“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,” Estrada said.
According to him, he filed on May 15 an omnibus motion to reopen the National Bureau of Investigation probe into the flood control controversy “to allow the presentation and consideration of additional evidence and matters crucial to a fair and objective determination of the complaints.”
READ: Jinggoy Estrada’s perjury complaint vs ex-DPWH engineer junked
During a Senate investigation into the matter last year, former DPWH assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez accused Estrada of maneuvering to allocate P300 million for infrastructure projects in the Bulacan first district in exchange for 30 percent in “kickbacks.”
But the senator denied the accusation, saying there was no evidence connecting him to the scheme. —KEITH CLORES
