MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday said Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was given only two options amid his looming arrest in connection with the multibillion-peso flood control scandal — voluntary surrender or arrest.
“Regarding the impending arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, the options are simple: voluntary surrender or arrest,” Remulla said in an official message posted on the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Facebook page.
“These are the standard procedures followed by law enforcement authorities in serving a warrant and do not deviate in any way from established Standard Operating Procedures,” he added.
Remulla disclosed that he had spoken with Estrada regarding the possible implementation of the arrest order stemming from plunder and graft charges filed before the Sandiganbayan.
“Surrender or arrest. He mentioned that he needed knee replacement surgery. I replied that it's up to the Sandiganbayan’s appreciation. Our job is to process his arrest and submit him to the Sandiganbayan,” Remulla said.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder and graft charges against Estrada, former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan, and several other officials over the alleged P573 million worth of kickbacks tied to flood control projects. Prosecutors also recommended that the cases be treated as non-bailable.
Estrada said he would exhaust all available legal remedies in response to the charges filed against him.
The case marked the latest development in the government’s widening crackdown on alleged corruption linked to flood control projects, which has implicated several politicians, contractors, and public works officials.