Court denies Estrada’s TRO bid vs. Brice Hernandez

Metro Manila, Philippines - The San Juan Regional Trial Court has denied Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Brice Hernandez, the first witness to accuse him of receiving kickbacks from alleged anomalous flood control projects.

Estrada has repeatedly denied the allegations and filed a petition for a writ of preliminary injunction, along with a prayer for the issuance of a TRO, to prevent Hernandez from making further claims against him.

“Senator Jinggoy prayed that the court order for Brice to stop making false and defamatory statements against him. Fortunately, the court ruled to deny his prayer,” Ernest Levanza, Hernandez’s legal counsel, told NewsWatch Plus on Monday, Nov. 3.

In the dispositive portion of the order signed by Presiding Judge Caron Aicitel Lascano-Nethercott on Oct. 30, the senator’s TRO application was denied, and the court said it did not find extreme urgency to issue the stay order.

The court set the hearing on the requested preliminary injunction on Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m.

In a statement issued on Monday, Estrada’s office said the senator fully respects and abides by the court decision.

“He maintains that the proper forum for the vindication of rights is the courtroom, not the media,” the statement read.

“The senator will continue to pursue all legal remedies available to ensure accountability for those who violate his rights, spread falsehoods, or attempt to tarnish his hard-earned reputation,” it added.

Estrada’s office also noted that the court reminded all parties to refrain from making further public statements or engaging in discussions on the case, citing the sub judice rule which prohibits discussion, commentary, or media coverage on the issue.

Last month, Estrada filed four counts of perjury against Hernandez for allegedly making false statements during congressional hearings - including naming the senator as recipient of a 30 percent kickback from the ₱355 million he purportedly allocated for flood control projects, and that he was involved in ghost projects. The lawmaker has denied both accusations.