Estrada, Defensor, Espiritu seek bail in plunder cases

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former congressman Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu have filed petitions for bail in their plunder cases. Detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, the three are facing separate plunder cases. Estrada is accused of collecting kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects. Defensor and Espiritu had donated to the 2025 election campaign of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who is also being held in the Payatas jail on plunder charges. The accused plunderers asked the Sandiganbayan to grant them bail, arguing that the evidence against them is weak.