MANILA, Philippines — Facing another massive legal battle over state funds, a senior lawmaker has strongly pushed back against corruption charges moving forward. Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada slammed a Department of Justice (DOJ) resolution recommending that the Office of the Ombudsman charge him with plunder, calling the move completely “baffling and unjust.”
The multi-agency indictment connects the veteran lawmaker and former high-ranking infrastructure officials to a multibillion-peso flood control project scandal.
The recommended charges stem from a deep preliminary inquiry initiated by the National Bureau of Investigation-Department of Justice (NBI-DOJ) Public Works and Bid-Rigging Task Force.
According to Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, investigators uncovered an interconnected network of public officers who allegedly manipulated project specifications, cleared budgets, and rigged public bidding workflows:
- The Inside Testimony: The case heavily leverages sworn statements from last year’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, where former DPWH assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez accused Estrada of maneuvering to allocate ₱300 million to ₱355 million for infrastructure projects in Bulacan’s first district.
- The Alleged Kickbacks: Witness testimonies, including statements from former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo (who has since turned state witness), alleged that Estrada directed these fund allocations in exchange for a 30-percent “Standard Operating Procedure” (SOP) kickback.
- The Expanded Roster: Beyond Estrada, the DOJ resolution named several co-respondents, including former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
[NBI-DOJ Task Force Probe] ──► [Uncovered Rigged DPWH Bids] ──► [DOJ Transmits Case to Ombudsman] │ ┌────────────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────┐ ▼ ▼ [ RECOMMENDED CHARGES ] [ PRIMARY RESPONDENTS ] Plunder (RA 7080), Anti-Graft (RA 3019), Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former DPWH Direct Bribery, and Corruption. Sec. Manuel Bonoan, & 6 others.
Estrada firmly maintained his innocence, releasing a detailed public statement on Tuesday to systematically chip away at the narrative putting him back into the legal hot seat:
- Official Clearances: The senator emphasized that the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO) explicitly verified that there is absolutely no record showing he introduced any hidden insertions into the 2025 national budget.
- Committee Backing: Estrada noted that even Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who chair-headed the Blue Ribbon inquiry, formally took cognizance of the LBRMO finding as a vital piece of exonerating documentation.
- Motion to Reopen: To block the immediate execution of the indictment, Estrada’s legal camp filed an omnibus motion before the DOJ on May 15, 2026, demanding that the preliminary investigation be officially reopened so additional exculpating records could be formally admitted.
“This is an unfortunate development. I find this baffling and unjust, considering that the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO) categorically stated that there is no record showing that I introduced any insertions into the 2025 national budget… Due process and fairness demand that all relevant evidence and official findings be fully considered before conclusions are drawn.” — Senator Jinggoy Estrada
While the DOJ’s finding of probable cause marks a heavy blow for Estrada, transport to a formal criminal court is not yet immediate. Under the country’s anti-graft framework, the resolution must pass through a strict tertiary filter before hitting the Sandiganbayan:
[DOJ National Prosecution Service] ──► [Probable Cause Found] ──► [Office of the Ombudsman Independent Review] │ ┌────────────────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────┐ ▼ ▼ ▼ [ AFFIRM ] [ AMEND CHARGES ] [ REVERSE ] Forward case directly to the Modify individual counts Completely drop the case Sandiganbayan for trial. or named co-conspirators. due to lack of merit.
Ombudsman representatives assured the public that their evaluation will remain strictly independent, legally objective, and insulated from ongoing legislative power shifts in the capital.