DILG chief to Jinggoy Estrada: Surrender or get arrested

[Updated May 29, 2026, 1:24 p.m.]

MANILA, Philippines — “Surrender or arrest.”

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said these are Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s options amid the latter’s looming arrest over plunder and graft.

“We spoke yesterday. I called him. I told him [his choices are] either surrender or arrest. He told me he’ll think about it. His concern is about his knee, which needs replacement,” Remulla told reporters in Camp Karingal in Quezon City on Friday.

READ: ‘Options given’ to Estrada amid possible arrest, says DILG

On Thursday, the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder and graft cases against Estrada before the Sandiganbayan, meaning an arrest warrant is expected to be issued against him soon.

Former Department of Public Works and Highways assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez previously accused Estrada of maneuvering P355 million in insertions in the 2023 national budget in exchange for a 30-percent cut.

Estrada has since denied the alleged insertions.

This is Estrada’s third corruption-related case after facing charges in 2001 and 2014.

Asked for assurance that Estrada will not be given special treatment if taken into custody, Remulla pointed to the arrest of Sen. Bong Revilla and his co-accused in his flood control case.

“They’re all there at the BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) [in Quezon City]. There’s no special treatment there,” the secretary said.

As to where Estrada will be held or whether authorities will place him beside Revilla or consider his supposedly needed knee replacement, Remulla said it was up to the appreciation of the Sandiganbayan.

However, Remulla said, “I think he’ll most probably surrender. After the third time, this is the third time, he’s probably familiar with what to do.”

“We will do it according to procedure… Wherever he surrenders, we will process him. Take his picture, medical. Take all his records, and then we will certify him fit for trial. And then, we will bring him to the Sandigan to be surrendered to the proper judicial authorities,” he added. /mr /atm