Sandiganbayan rejects Senator Estrada's bid to consolidate cases

The Sandiganbayan has denied Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s request to consolidate the plunder and graft cases filed against him over alleged irregularities in flood control projects, ruling that the cases involve separate transactions and should proceed independently.

In an eight-page resolution dated June 24, the anti-graft court said a joint trial could unnecessarily delay proceedings, particularly the plunder case, which carries a non-bailable offense and would require separate hearings on petitions for bail.

“While indeed the plunder case shares a common question of fact with each of the anti-graft cases, a consolidation of these cases would defeat the purpose of consolidation and impede the progress of the latter,” the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division said.

The court noted that the graft cases, unlike the plunder charge, are bailable and may proceed directly to trial without the need for bail hearings.

Estrada’s co-accused in the plunder case include former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Department of Public Works and Highways district engineers Arturo Gonzalez Jr. and Manny Bulusan, and assistant district engineer Denryl Caesar Cortuna.

The anti-graft court also pointed out that one of the graft cases involves only Estrada and Bonoan, making consolidation impractical.

Meanwhile, the Senate has begun implementing the Sandiganbayan’s preventive suspension order against Estrada.

Senate Secretary Renato Bantug said the suspension took effect on June 22 after the Senate formally notified Estrada’s office of the court order.

Bantug explained that Estrada’s salary and benefits will likewise be suspended during the period. “Because you’re not allowed to perform your functions,” he said.

He also stressed that Estrada’s Senate office and staff will continue operating while he is under suspension, which will automatically be lifted after 90 days.

When asked whether Estrada’s suspension also covers his role as a senator-judge, Bantug initially declined to comment but later said, “He (Estrada) is suspended as a senator of the republic, and personally, then it goes with it that being a senator-judge is also under indictment.”

Estrada is facing graft and plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan over allegations that he received P573 million in kickbacks from flood control project allocations. He also continues to face multiple graft cases linked to the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which have been pending since 2014.