Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – “We’re ready to rumble,” said Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada when asked about the impending decision on the plunder case filed against him for his alleged involvement in the P10-billion pork barrel fund scam.
But Estrada said he was “expecting the worse” considering what he described as “trial by publicity” generated by the scam.
“Yes, I’m expecting the worse and because of the trial by publicity generated by this so-called scam, e baka bumigay sila (They might give up),” he said, apparently referring to the Office of the Ombudsman, where the case has been filed against him.
The senator remained hopeful though that the Ombudsman would render a fair decision on the issue.
“I really don’t know what charges they are going to file before the Sandiganbayan. Ano ang ipa-file nila sa Sandiganbayan? We’re not yet sure kasi as far as we’re concerned wala talagang kaso, mahina yung kaso laban sa amin,” Estrada added.
(I really don’t know what charges they are going to file before the Sandiganbayan. What are they going to file at the Sandiganbayan? We’re not yet sure because as far as we’re concerned, there is really no case; the case is weak against us.”
Aside from Estrada, two other senators – Juan Ponce-Enrile and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. – and other personalities have been charged at the Office of the Ombudsman also in connection with the pork scam.
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