Jinggoy to end term in Senate with ‘head held high’

Senator Jinggoy Estrada. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Being in detention has not prevented outgoing Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada from delivering his farewell message to his supporters, saying he will end his term in the Senate on June 30 with his head held high.

In his Facebook post last Saturday, Estrada boasted of the bills and investigations that he initiated during his two terms or 12 years in the Senate. He said he was also never absent in the chamber until he was detained in 2014 on plunder charges in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam.

“Sa loob ng labingdalawang taon bilang inyong senador, kahit kailan ay hindi po tayo nag-absent sa Senado pwera na lang nung ako po ay kanilang ipinakulong (As a senator for 12 years, I haven’t been absent in the Senate until they sent me to jail),” he said.

“Nakapag deliver po tayo ng humigit kumulang na 50 privilege speech, na-expose po natin ang corruption sa military at naging aktibo sa mga hearings sa Senado. At higit sa lahat, nakapagpasa po tayo ng mga bills na ngayon ay naisabatas na, isa na yung ‘Kasambahay Law.’”

(I have delivered around 50 privilege speeches, have exposed the corruption in the military and have been active in Senate hearings. And most of all, I have passed bills which have been enacted into law, one of which is the “Kasambahay Law.”)

Most of his proposed measures, Estrada said, are for the welfare of the Filipino masses, especially, workers.

“Sa lahat ng aking mga binanggit, hindi naman siguro ako maaakusahan na wala akong ginawa o naging pabaya sa aking tungkulin bilang senador,” he said.

“As I proudly end my term as a senator, I wish that the new set of senators will continue to fight for what is right and put our country first before anything else.”

“At tulad ng sinabi ko kanina, aalis po ako ng Senado na nakataas ang noo, nagaalab ang damdamin, at may ngiti sa mga labi dahil alam kong nagampanan ko ng maayos ang tungkuling iniatang ng milyong milyong [Pilipino] sa akin at dahil alam kong nakapag ambag ako sa pagpapabuti ng buhay ng ating mga mamamayan lalong lalo na ang masang Pilipino. Isa pong karangalan na makapaglingkod sa inyo,” the senator added.

(And as I said earlier, I will leave the Senate with head held high, a passionate heart and a smile on my face because I know that I have fulfilled my duties bestowed upon by millions of Filipinos and because I know that I have contributed to the improvement of the lives of our countrymen especially the Filipino masses. It is an honor to serve you.)

Estrada’s request to attend the last sessions of the Senate was turned down by the court. The 16th Congress adjourned sine die last June 6. The new Congress will open on July 25.

READ: You’re not special, court tells Jinggoy

Estrada said he was saddened by the decision of the court as he would have wanted to deliver a privilege speech to thank his supporters and the people, who continue to love him and pray for him.

He nevertheless urged every Filipino to support the incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

“Alam ko na seryoso siya sa kanyang mga pagbabago sa ating bansa. Ang kanyang tagumpay ay tagumpay ng bawat isa sa atin at higit sa lahat ang ating pinakamamahal na bansa,” said Estrada.

(I know that he is serious about the changes he is proposing in our country. His victory is the victory of each of us and most of all, our beloved country.)

Another senator, who will end his term in jail, is Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who was also charged with plunder over the pork barrel scam.

Seven more senators whose terms will end on June 30 are Miriam Defensor Santiago, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile, Sergio “Serge Osmeña” III and Pia Cayetano. RAM/rga