Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday, June 1, said he was repeatedly offered a deal to leave the Senate majority bloc in exchange for the dismissal of his cases in relation to the flood control scam.
He made the statement after voluntarily surrendering to authorities in light of an arrest warrant by the Sandiganbayan over the non-bailable plunder charge.
“Ngayon ko lang ito isasapubliko: Maraming beses akong inalok na talikuran ang independent majority bloc kapalit ang pagbabasura sa aking kaso, ngunit hindi ko ito tinanggap. Mas nanaig ang paninindigan ko na manatili sa hanay ng mga kasamahan ko sa independent majority bloc,” said Estrada .
[Translation: I will make this public now: I was offered a number of times to turn my back on the independent majority bloc in exchange for the dismissal of my case, but I rejected it. I chose to stand by my colleagues in the independent majority bloc.]
The senator did not identify who supposedly made the offers.
“Kung sino sila, abangan n’yo na lang ang susunod na kabanata,” he added.
[Translation: As to who they are, just wait for the next chapter.]
Estrada said he rejected the supposed offers because he believes the issue extends beyond personal legal troubles.
“I stand my ground because what is at stake here goes far beyond my personal circumstances. What is at stake is the independence of the Senate itself,” he said.
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ordered Estrada arrested over a non-bailable plunder case linked to the alleged misuse of flood control funds of over ₱573 million.
