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Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as seen in an undated photo he posted with his statement on the charges against him in connection to the flood control scandal on Monday, June 1, 2026.
Estrada office
MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for plunder over the alleged P573 million in illicit payouts from flood control projects.
The anti-graft court’s Fifth Division issued the warrant on Monday, June 1, days after Estrada posted P90,000 bail for a separate graft charge.
Estrada has yet to be taken custody as of posting time.
Besides Estrada, facing the arrest warrant are former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan, DPWH engineers Denryl Cortuna and Manny Bulusan and Arturo Gonzales Jr.
The plunder case may lead to Estrada’s detention because plunder is a non-bailable offense when evidence of guilt is strong.
Bail, however, may still be sought through a hearing. If the court finds that the evidence of guilt is not strong, the accused may be allowed temporary liberty upon posting bail.
Earlier graft warrant. On May 29, the Sandiganbayan Second Division ordered Estrada’s arrest for graft. He posted bail the same day.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder and graft cases on May 28.
Estrada’s co-accused include former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who also posted bail on May 29.
Third plunder case
This is the third time Estrada has faced a high-profile plunder charge.
He was first charged with plunder in 2001 alongside his father, former President Joseph Estrada, over allegations tied to the illegal numbers game jueteng.
He was also charged with plunder in 2014 over the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam.
Estrada was acquitted in both cases.
Flood control scandal. Estrada is the third lawmaker charged in connection with the flood control projects, after former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and former congressman Zaldy Co.
Revilla was previously detained over the PDAF scam before his acquittal. Co is currently evading arrest in the Philippines by seeking asylum and residing in Europe.
