(THE MANILA TIMES) (UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines: The Sandiganbayan acquitted Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada on charges of plunder but was found guilty of direct and indirect bribery.
In a 396-page ruling by the anti-graft court’s fifth division released on Friday, Estrada was acquitted of the charge of pocketing P183 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel in 2013 that was coursed through the companies of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.
However, Estrada was found guilty of one count of direct and two counts of indirect bribery, which carry up to 12 years imprisonment and possible disqualification from public office and the right to suffrage.
Estrada told reporters that he intends to appeal the guilty ruling of the Sandiganbayan.
Napoles’ scheme, which linked several senators and lawmakers at the House of Representatives, was known as the “pork barrel scam.”
Napoles herself was not found guilty of plunder but of seven counts of corruption, which carries a penalty of at least 12 years imprisonment.