Former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. FILE PHOTO
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has ordered the camp of former Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada to explain why they should not be sanctioned for skipping the hearing on Monday on his bid to forego the submission of his pre-trial brief.
Estrada’s defense lawyers were supposed to elaborate on Monday why he should be allowed not to submit the pre-trial brief, a document that informs the case parties of which people would be brought to the witness stand during the trial proceedings.
Prosecutors have opposed the motion and reminded Estrada that at some point, he would have to disclose his witnesses and evidence.
Estrada faces a plunder case in connection with the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam, in which lawmakers are accused of diverting their Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations to fraudulent non-government organizations allegedly controlled by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. RAM
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