Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said in jest on Tuesday that he would surrender to his father, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, if the court would issue a warrant of arrest against him.
The senator is among those facing plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly funnelling millions of pesos to bogus nongovernment organizations linked to detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.
“Kay President Erap,” the younger Estrada said when asked if he would surrender to President Aquino.
Napoles surrendered to Aquino when the court ordered her arrest in connection with the serious illegal detention case filed against him by her former financial officer, Benhur Luy. Luy later turned against her and exposed the “pork barrel” scam that she allegedly masterminded.
Senator Estrada said he would also leave it up to the Sandigabayan to decide where he would be detained in case the charges were filed against him in court.
“It’s up to the Sandiganbayan kung saan kami, kung saka-sakaling umabot ang information sa Sandiganbayan, it’s up to the Sandiganbayan where to commit us. It is not for us to choose,” said the senator.
Though he said he was “immune” from arrest, Estrada still lamented how certain people were “hell bent” on jailing him and two of his colleagues, Senators Juan Ponce-Enrile and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
He noted that no case has been filed yet against them in court but authorities were already reportedly preparing their detention cells inside Camp Crame.
“Talagang makikita mo na (You can really see that) they’re really hell bent on jailing the three senators,” he said.
“Kapag kaming tatlong senador ang nababanggit, masyadong credible ang istorya ni Janet Napoles, Benhur Luy, ang listahan. Pero pagka-iba ang na-involve, lalung-lalo na kaalyado ng administrasyon, napaka-incredible naman. Doon mo makikita na talagang namimili, selective justice. Talagang tatlo kaming pinupuntirya.”
(When it’s us, the three senators, are being mentioned, the stories of Janet Lim Napoles, Benhur Luy and the lists become credible. But when others are involved, specially allies of the administration, then it becomes so incredible. You can see it’s really selective justice)
“Sa aking palagay, wala na akong kalaban-laban, kapag pinagkakaisahan ka, kapag pinagtulung-tulungan ka, wala na akong other recourse. My only recourse is to slug it out, to fight it out before the proper courts,” the senator added.
(In my opinion, I have no other recourse but to slug it out, fight it out before the proper courts particularly if you are being ganged up on.)