Senator Jinggoy Estrada refuses to plead in plunder case: Sandiganbayan enters 'not guilty' plea

Detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada refused to enter a plea during his arraignment on plunder and graft charges on Thursday, Sept. 3, prompting the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to enter a "not guilty" plea on his behalf.

Estrada, who appeared before the anti-graft court on crutches, made the decision while his defense team continues to challenge the prosecution’s amended information in the plunder case.

Defense lawyer Laurence Hector B. Arroyo explained that their refusal to enter a plea stems from their objection to the amendment, which resulted in the removal of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan as a co-respondent.

Arroyo noted that the defense is evaluating its options following the court’s approval of the revision. He argued that the alteration goes beyond a technical correction and fundamentally shifts the prosecution's theory of the case, directly impacting how Estrada will mount his defense.

The defense has five days to decide whether to seek a motion for reconsideration with the Sandiganbayan or elevate the issue directly to the Supreme Court, according to Arroyo.

Despite the objection, Estrada’s camp acknowledged that the arraignment served a practical purpose: clearing the legal hurdle to begin proceedings on his petition for bail.

“What was important to us today was just to have the arraignment conducted so that the bail proceedings could already proceed,” Arroyo said.

Estrada affirmed that he will continue fighting the charges through all available legal avenues.

“We will exhaust all legal remedies available to us, as advised by my lawyers,” the senator said.

Addressing his health, Estrada stated he was in good condition despite arriving on crutches, adding that his physician left the decision regarding knee surgery up to him.

“Okay lang. According to my doctor, it’s up to me if I want the surgery on my left knee,” he told reporters.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed the charges against Estrada and Bonoan before the Sandiganbayan on May 28. The case stems from alleged illegal budget insertions and kickbacks linked to DPWH infrastructure and flood-control projects funded under the 2025 national budget.

-Paraluman News