Senator Jinggoy Estrada was "acquitted" of plunder but was found "guilty" of direct and indirect bribery in connection to the pork barrel funds or PDAF scam in 2008.
Based on the Sandiganbayan 5th division’s 396-page ruling obtained by DZRH News on Friday, January 19, Estrada was “not guilty of plunder based on reasonable doubt.”
However, he was convicted of one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery and shall face the following penalties:
Direct bribery
- 8 to 9 years and four months of prison mayor
- Temporary absolute disqualification and perpetual special disqualification from the right of suffrage
- Php 3 million fine
Indirect bribery
- 2 years and four months to 3 years, 6 months, and 20 days of prison correctional
- Suspension and public censure
- Suspension from public office, from the right to follow a profession or calling
- Perpetual special disqualification from the right of suffrage
In the same decision, the anti-graft court ruled that co-accused Janet Lim Napoles was “guilty beyond reasonable doubt of five (5) counts of Corruption of Public Officials” and was sentenced to 8 to 10 years and eight months of imprisonment. She was directed to pay the P29,625,000 fine.
Sandiganbayan also stated that Napoles was “found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of two (2) counts of Corruption of Public Officials” and “sentenced to suffer indeterminate penalty of imprisonment” of two years and four months to four years, nine months, and 10 days.
Napoles was further ordered to “indemnify” the national government of P262,034,000 with six percent per annum interest.
It can be recalled that in 2017, Estrada was released on bail after over three years of being detained in the Philippine National Police Custodial Center for plunder and graft.
According to RH Val Gonzales’ report during MBC Network News, the Senator was elated by the anti-graft court’s decision, asserting that he did not steal nor receive any money.
Estrada reportedly said that his legal counsels would exhaust all legal remedies to challenge the conviction.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, abswelto sa sa kasong pandarambong; pero 'guilty' sa panunuhol hinggil sa PDAF scam | RH 5 Val Gonzales @dzrh5#MBCNetworkNews#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) January 19, 2024
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