Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang acknowledged the arrest and voluntary surrender of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, calling it the proper thing to do for someone facing a valid arrest warrant, while denying allegations that the administration was behind the cases of some lawmakers.
In an ambush interview, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Estrada’s move to surrender was commendable.
“Maganda ang naging ginawa ni Sen. Jinggoy na siya ay voluntary na sumuko. Hindi niya na pinahirapan ang mga law enforcers,” Castro said on Monday, June 1.
[Translation: Sen. Jinggoy did the right thing by voluntarily surrendering. He did not make it difficult for law enforcers.]
Castro also pushed back against claims that cases against senators were politically motivated or linked to Senate realignments.
“Hindi po masasabi na ito ay may kinalaman sa pagbuo ng majority o minority,” she said.
[Translation: It cannot be said that this is related to the formation of the majority or minority.]
She noted that investigations involving certain lawmakers had already begun as early as last year, with their names mentioned in probes conducted in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Castro said the executive branch has no hand in the filing of cases,noting that the Office of the Ombudsman is an independent constitutional body.
“Hindi po hawak ng pangulo ang ombudsman sila po ang nagrekomenda ng pagsasampa ng kaso,” Castro said.
[Translation: The ombudsman is not under the president; it was them who recommended the filing of the case.)
She also dismissed claims of some senators that the administration is engaging in political maneuvering.
“Hindi ba kabaliktaran? Baka sila ang namumulitika at hindi ang ehekutibo,” she said.
[Translation: Isn’t it the other way around? Perhaps they are the ones politicking, not the executive.]
Malacañang also rejected claims that lawmakers were pressured to join certain Senate blocs in exchange for legal relief, maintaining that cases are proceeding through proper legal processes.
