Metro Manila, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has ordered the preventive suspension of detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for 90 days in connection with graft and plunder charges with the anti-graft court.
In a resolution promulgated on Oct. 12, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division directed Estrada’s suspension as senator and from any other public office he may hold during the period.
The court ruled that Estrada’s preventive suspension was warranted after resolving issues concerning the validity of the criminal charges filed against him.
“With the court’s disposition of all incidents relating to the validity of the Informations against him, his preventive suspension is now in order,” the resolution stated.
Estrada faces charges of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and plunder under Republic Act 7080.
The cases were filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 28.
The fifth division, chaired by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses, cited the limited preventive suspension.
“Lastly, the preventive suspension may not be of an indefinite duration, it may not exceed the maximum period of ninety (90) days,” the court said.
The resolution also directed that a copy be furnished to the Office of the Senate President through the Senate secretary for implementation.
The Senate was requested to inform the Sandiganbayan of the action taken within five days of receiving the resolution.
The Senate Impeachment Court is in the final stages in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. It ruled that only senator-judges present on voting day can cast a verdict.
