Senator Jinggoy Estrada shows some documents during his privilege speech on the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) issue at the Senate on Wednesday (March 12, 2014). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Although he called the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation as “moro-moro,” Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday said he will appeal the decision to file plunder charges against him over the alleged pork barrel scam.
Estrada said his camp will file a motion for reconsideration before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday next week, although he is pessimistic about this move.
“Maghahain na po kami sa darating na Lunes sapagkat natanggap na po ng aking abogado ang joint resolution na nanggaling po sa Ombudsman. Siyempre ine-expect ko na ibabasura nila iyon. Pero siyempre, we will exert all legal remedies,” the senator said.
On Tuesday, the Office of the Ombudsman announced that it has decided to charge Senators Estrada, Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile with plunder over the pork barrel scam.
The three senators are being accused of pocketing the kickbacks from the alleged scam, supposedly engineered by detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. They have earlier denied these allegations.
Estrada added that even before the recommendations were made, he did not fully trust the Ombudsman’s deliberations on the plunder charge.
“Alam naman namin na moro-moro na lang iyan. Kaya ito na nga ang nangyari. Mukha talagang [minadali] ang kaso laban sa amin. It took them only six months to read voluminous documents,” he said.
Revilla’s camp had also earlier signified its intention to appeal the Ombudsman’s decision. Enrile meanwhile has yet to make a statement on the matter.
In 2001, Estrada already faced a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly conspiring with his father, former President Joseph Estrada, to amass billions of ill-gotten wealth from jueteng operations and kickbacks from tobacco excise taxes.
In 2007, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Senator Estrada in relation to this plunder case, although his father was convicted. (MNS)
