The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issues an arrest warrant for Senator Jinggoy Estrada in connection with a plunder case that is accompanied by graft charges. The warrant follows the Office of the Ombudsman’s filing of plunder charges against Estrada and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, after the Department of Justice (DOJ) recommended that charges be filed. Plunder is described in reports as a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment, and bail is only granted if the court finds the evidence of guilt is not strong.
Estrada’s legal team files motions at the Sandiganbayan seeking to block the arrest warrant and to have the case dismissed. After the warrant is issued, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla says Estrada will voluntarily surrender, and Estrada announces that he will surrender to police and proceed to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Camp Crame. Reports also state that Estrada faces charges linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects, and that he denies the allegations and does not seek Senate custody, saying he will face the case.
