Metro Manila, Philippines – National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said the local warrant against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada allows an arrest even inside Senate grounds.
In a briefing on Friday, May 29, Matibag recalled that NBI officials were unable to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa because his camp was contending that the warrant was not issued by a local court as it is by the International Criminal Court.
“So along that line of argument, ibig sabihin kahit nasa loob siya (Estrada) ng Senado he will be arrested. And that will be a legal arrest,” he added.
[Translation: So along that line of argument, that means even if he is inside the Senate he will be arrested. And that will be a legal arrest.]
Matibag cited the arrest of former Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes, who were both inside the Senate. Both have been acquitted of charges.
The NBI chief also said the bureau will arrest Estrada “as soon as they receive the warrants.”
The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division had issued an arrest warrant against the senator for graft, a bailable offense.
Noel Ostrea, the senator’s lawyer, said they have filed a motion asking the court to withdraw the arrest warrant while Estrada confirmed that he will post bail if it’s successfully served.
No warrant has yet been issued for his non-bailable plunder case over charges in connection with the flood control corruption scandal.
