Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate has implemented the suspension order issued by the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada effective June 22.
Senate Secretary Rey Bantug confirmed this to reporters on Thursday, June 25.
“The Senate president officially notified the office of Senator Estrada that the suspension order issued by the Sandiganbayan will be implemented or was implemented beginning Monday, June 22,” Bantug said.
On June 16, the Sandiganbayan Second Division ordered Estrada’s 90-day preventive suspension. He is facing graft and plunder charges in connection with the flood control corruption scandal and is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail.
Bantug said Estrada is barred from performing the functions of a senator during the suspension period and is not entitled to receive salary or benefits.
Senate President Win Gatchalian earlier said that once a senator is suspended, his mandate as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial is also suspended. Whether this would affect the two-thirds vote required to convict Vice President Sara Duterte remains unclear.
Asked whether Estrada’s office would remain operational and whether his staff would continue receiving their salaries during his suspension, Bantug said he would make a recommendation to Gatchalian on the matter.
Estrada earlier said he had no intention of receiving any salary while in detention and would avail himself of all legal remedies available under the law. He has repeatedly denied allegations linking him to budget insertions and kickbacks from allegedly anomalous flood control projects.
