Jinggoy Estrada placed on 90-day preventive suspension anew

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has placed Sen. Jinggoy Estrada under preventive suspension in connection with the plunder and graft charges he’s facing related to his alleged involvement in the flood control projects scandal.

It was the second 90-day preventive suspension Estrada has received since the anti-graft court’s Second Division issued a similar resolution in June in connection with the graft charges pending before it.

The Fifth Division ordered that a copy of its resolution be furnished Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian through the Senate Secretary.

The Office of the Senate President was requested to inform the tribunal of its action within five days upon receipt of the resolution.

The Fifth Division in September affirmed its decision in July denying Estrada’s motion to fix bail in the P573-million plunder case he is facing over his alleged involvement in the flood control mess, citing lack of merit.

The court on September 3 said Estrada’s appeal “failed to demonstrate any substantial error of fact or law.”

“Accused Estrada’s motion for reconsideration places considerable emphasis on circumstances which, according to him, establish that he poses no risk of flight. He repetitively points to his incumbency as a Senator, his long tenure in public service, and his history of compliance with this court’s travel conditions. The court does not disregard these, but they do not answer the main issue presently confronting the court,” the Sandiganbayan said. –NB, GMA News