(CNN PHILIPPINES) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 18) — Nearly a decade after charges were filed, the Sandiganbayan will hand down on Friday its verdict on Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s plunder case in relation to the infamous pork barrel scam.
The lawmaker, who was allowed to post bail in 2017 even as plunder is a non-bailable offense, is expected to personally appear in court to hear the verdict.
While Estrada admitted he is “nervous,” he told reporters on Thursday that he is hopeful for a legal victory. He said he believes his previous bail grant showed there was no solid evidence for a conviction.
“I hope it will be favorable,” he said of the decision. “Remember, the court granted me bail so that means to say the evidence against me is not strong.”
Estrada is among a long list of lawmakers accused of misusing their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), also known as pork barrel, a discretionary fund available to lawmakers.
The elaborate scheme was exposed in 2013, and Estrada – who surrendered to authorities – was arrested a year later on plunder and graft charges.
He has been accused of pocketing over ₱183 million in kickbacks for endorsing fake non-government organizations controlled by businesswoman and the scam’s principal suspect Janet Lim Napoles for his PDAF projects. Napoles herself is serving time over the scandal.
Napoles’ employee-turned-whistleblower Benhur Luy was among those who linked Estrada to the scandal. The prosecution’s star witness said commissions which the senator received were listed in the financial ledger of Napoles’ company under code names “Anak” and “Seksi.”
Another state witness, Ruby Tuason, said she was the middleman who delivered Estrada’s kickbacks in a duffel bag on a number of occasions to his Senate office.
Estrada has maintained innocence. He argued that the state witnesses themselves were at the center of the conspiracy and that the testimonies against him should not be given weight unless corroborated.
After he was formally charged, it took years before the trial proper began as the court took up bail petitions first. There were also delays in the pre-trial phase or marking of evidence, as the defense team raised various issues which stalled proceedings.
The Sandiganbayan submitted his plunder case for resolution in July 2023.
Asked for his preparations ahead of Friday’s verdict, the senator said he only prays that his name be cleared.
“It affected me, it affected my whole family,” Estrada told the media. “Hangga’t hindi pa nare-resolve itong kaso ko, syempre parang merong sword of damocles hanging over my head [Until this case is resolved, of course it feels like there’s a sword of damocles hanging over my head].”
Earlier, Estrada said he wants plunder to be among the heinous crimes punishable by death penalty.
The politician made a Senate comeback attempt in 2019 but was unsuccessful. He made a comeback in the 2022 general elections.