Estrada won’t wait for arrest, will surrender instead

Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada asks question to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Wednesday as she failed to get the confirmation of the powerful Commission on Appointments amid oppositions and questions raised. NINO JESUS ORBETA/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said he would no longer wait for the warrant of arrest to be issued against him and would instead surrender directly to proper authorities.

Estrada issued the statement Thursday shortly after the Office of the Ombudsman junked his appeal to dismiss the plunder charges against him.

“Hindi na. Surrender na lang ako kung gusto nila [No more. I will just surrender if they want],” Estrada told Senate reporters in a phone patch interview.

He said he would surrender to proper authorities.

Asked again what he meant by proper authorities, Estrada said, “Kung saan nila ako gustog papuntahin [Wherever it is they would want me to go].”

Before this, Estrada said he was no longer surprised by the decision of the Ombudsman, saying it is expected.

And with the Ombudsman’s decision, Estrada is also expecting that the cases against him would be filed soon at the Sandiganbayan.

“Moro-moro na lang yan. Talagang halatang-halata naman sila eh [It’s just moro-moro. They’ve been very obvious],” he said.