Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 4) — Senator Jinggoy Estrada has asked the Sandiganbayan for permission to seek the immediate dismissal of graft charges he is facing in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund from 2007-2009.
Estrada filed a motion for leave of court to file a demurrer to evidence last Nov. 17.
Estrada is facing a plunder case and 11 counts of graft for allegedly diverting his PDAF and pocketing over ₱183 million through bogus NGOs controlled by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.
The court earlier dismissed Estrada’s demurrer to evidence in his plunder case saying the state’s evidence shows his possible involvement in the fraud.
An accused needs to ask the court’s permission first through a motion for leave of court before filing a demurrer, which is essentially a motion to dismiss a case after the prosecution rests its case on the ground that the evidence is weak.
