Estrada faces plunder raps over flood control scandal

By Erika Mae P. Sinaking, Reporter

SENATOR Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, Jr. was charged with plunder and graft before the Sandiganbayan on Thursday for allegedly pocketing P573 million from the multibillion-peso flood control scam, marking the latest high-profile corruption case tied to infrastructure spending under the Marcos administration.

The Office of the Ombudsman said it would seek denial of bail and hold departure orders against Mr. Estrada and his co-accused to prevent them from leaving the country pending trial.

Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said investigators uncovered a coordinated scheme involving illegal budget insertions and project allocations within the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) 2025 infrastructure program.

“Case records point to an accumulated sum of illicit payouts amounting to an aggregate sum of over P573 million, which were systematically delivered to the principal respondent, Senator Jinggoy Estrada,” he told reporters.

Also indicted for plunder and graft were a former Public Works secretary and at least three DPWH National Capital Region engineering officials.

The charges stemmed from a separate investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation-Department of Justice Public Works and Bid Rigging Task Force, which examined irregularities in flood control and infrastructure allocations.

Prosecutors alleged public funds were funneled into selected projects in exchange for commissions and kickbacks.

The case adds to mounting political pressure surrounding the government’s flood control spending after lawmakers and investigators raised concerns over anomalies in infrastructure allocations and procurement practices.

Mr. Estrada has denied wrongdoing and cited a certification issued by the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office, which he said showed no record of budget insertions linked to him.

The Ombudsman, however, said the certification “does not capture all stages of the budgetary process wherein insertions may be made in a layered method.”

In a statement, Mr. Estrada accused authorities of disregarding evidence favorable to his defense and questioned the speed of the proceedings.

“My lawyers are preparing the necessary steps to show the irregularities in the process, as well as the evidence that was not given sufficient weight and consideration,” he said in Filipino.

He also said he was not given enough opportunity to review the resolutions issued by the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman before the indictment.

“Such excessive and unreasonable process has serious implications on my right to due process,” he added.

Mr. Estrada also linked the timing of the case to recent changes in Senate leadership, although he did not elaborate.

The senator joins former Senator Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla, Jr. and former Party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” S. Co among the prominent figures charged in connection with the flood control scam.

Mr. Estrada was acquitted in 2024 of plunder charges tied to the pork barrel scam, although separate graft cases linked to the Priority Development Assistance Fund remain pending before the anti-graft court.

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman said charges would no longer be pursued against former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral following her death last year.

Three dismissed Public Works officials — Roberto R. Bernardo, Gerard P. Opulencia and Henry C. Alcantara — were excluded from prosecution after being admitted into the Department of Justice witness protection program and turning state witnesses.