Jinggoy Estrada appeals Sandiganbayan's denial of his motion to fix bail

Senator Jinggoy Estrada has appealed the Sandiganbayan's denial of his motion to fix bail, as he faces a P573-million plunder charge in connection with the flood control mess. Estrada asserted that he is no flight risk and that his case is an exception to the general rule. He cited a 2015 Supreme Court (SC) decision, upheld in 2016, which granted bail to then-accused Senator Juan Ponce Enrile on humanitarian grounds and for not being a flight risk. Enrile was facing a P172 million plunder case over alleged misuse of his discretionary pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) at the time and was later cleared by the Sandiganbayan in October 2025. "In Enrile [SC ruling], Senator Enrile was granted bail because he was not a flight risk irrespective of the strength of the evidence against him. It is this exception to the general rule that accused Estrada invokes in asking the Honorable Court to fix the amount of bail and order his release sans a summary hearing where the prosecution presents evidence of the guilt of the accused," Estrada’s motion read. "Accused Estrada submits that he is similarly situated as Senator Enrile. They are both not flight risks," it added. Estrada's camp highlighted that as an incumbent senator elected in the 2022 polls, his term does not end until June 2028 and that he "has been in public service for close to 40 years." Furthermore, Estrada noted that the anti-graft court has granted his previous motions to travel overseas numerous times, even with 11 counts of graft charges pending before other Sandiganbayan divisions involving his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. He has been allowed to travel thrice this year alone. His motion read, "To be sure, accused Estrada is not 92 years old, as Senator Enrile was. Nor does he possess the fragile health of a nonagenarian. Yet these differences do not alter the essential point: accused Estrada is not a flight risk. There are currently several high-profile criminal defendants who remain at large, evading arrest and undermining the authority of the courts. Accused Estrada has never exhibited the slightest inclination to flee the jurisdiction of Philippine courts." "Upon learning of the issuance of the arrest warrant against him by the Honorable Court, he immediately voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement authorities. His conduct demonstrates respect for judicial processes and affirms that he poses no risk of flight. Wherefore, premises considered, accused Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada respectfully prays that the Honorable Court reconsider its Resolution dated 24 July 2026 and issue a new one granting his Motion to Fix Bail dated 29 June 2026. Other relief, just and equitable under the premises, is likewise prayed for," the motion concluded. Source: GMA News Philippines