Jinggoy ‘hopeful and nervous” as court decision on plunder charges looms

Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Thursday said he is “hopeful and nervous” a day before the  scheduled release of the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division’s decision in the P183-million plunder case against him.

“I hope that they will be fair… I hope we get a favorable decision,” Estrada told reporters. “I’m nervous. Hopeful and nervous. I’ll just pray.”

Estrada is accused of the alleged misuse of his discretionary fund, popularly known as pork barrel, from 2004 to 2010. He has maintained that he is innocent.

In September 2017, the Sandiganbayan granted Estrada’s motion for bail in September 2017. He posted a P1-million bail for plunder and P330,000 for 11 counts of graft also in connection with the alleged misuse of his pork barrel, officially known as Priority Development Assistance Fund, from 2008 to 2009.

In March 2023, the Sandiganbayan also ruled that state prosecutors are not suppressing evidence in the 11 counts of graft filed against him. This decision, however, was only released in June 2023. — BM, GMA Integrated News