Jamaine Punzalan

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, September 18, 2025. 
Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News-CBN News

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175938975693820250918-senate-flood-control-jinggoy-estrada-JC0689.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Senator Jinggoy Estrada, September 18, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </div>MANILA (UPDATED) — The Sandiganbayan has denied Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s motion for reconsideration seeking the dismissal of his graft cases in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam “for lack of merit.”Estrada had sought to dismiss the remaining graft cases against him, saying the prosecution &quot;not only failed to prove the scienter (knowledge or intent) element but also failed to show that he actually caused the award of the PDAF projects.&quot;Aside from this, the senator said there was no proof that he had knowledge about the PDAF scheme and that “he actually met and conferred with any of the other accused regarding the PDAF projects.”He added there was no “direct proof” of his acts, and that his endorsements that ultimately led to the issuance of PDAF funds “were not directives but merely recommendations.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/2/sandiganbayan-upholds-decision-to-acquit-jinggoy-estrada-of-bribery-indirect-bribery-1231">Sandiganbayan upholds decision to acquit Jinggoy Estrada of bribery, indirect bribery </a></div>Estrada said he  “did not ask for or direct any violation of law but, rather, specifically directed that the relevant rules and regulations be complied with.”He added his signatures on project documents are not evidence of intentional participation in the scam, which involved putting discretionary funds into foundations that turned out to be fake.But, in a 22-page resolution, the anti-graft court’s Special Fifth Division said there was no reason to reverse its previous rejection of Estrada’s demurrer to evidence, a motion seeking to dismiss a case for lack of evidence.“After a careful perusal of the arguments raised by accused Estrada in his motion for reconsideration, the Court finds no cogent reason to disturb its findings in the assailed resolution denying his demurrer to evidence,” the Sandiganbayan said.“The findings and conclusions in the plunder case do not automatically warrant the dismissal of the present graft cases,” it added.The Sandiganbayan in April said the prosecutors were able to allege Estrada’s PDAF “was systematically pocketed, was divided among the accused, and nothing went to the supposed beneficiaries of the PDAF-funded agricultural and livelihood programs.”It added prosecution was able to show that Estrada allegedly “received kickbacks” from businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.“While it would be premature at this stage to delve into the probative value of the evidence adduced by the prosecution, the court notes that the prosecution has formally offered, to and the record contains the explicit testimony of witness Ruby Tuason,” the document read. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/10/jinggoy-says-most-vulnerable-to-corruption-claims-says-unfair-to-link-his-past-issues-1025">Jinggoy says &#x27;most vulnerable&#x27; to corruption claims, says &#x27;unfair&#x27; to link his &#x27;past issues&#x27; </a></div>“Tuason testified that she met with accused Estrada, informed him of the scheme of accused Napoles as early as 2004, and personally delivered amounts to him on various occasions at the Senate and his house. There is likewise testimony on record from witness Benhur Luy that he had endorsement letters signed by accused Estrada at the Senate through accused Labayen,” it added.Estrada had argued that the daily disbursement reports (DDR) of PDAF whistleblower Benhur Luy were “unreliable as they are mere print-outs and can nowadays be easily manufactured.”In 2024, the Sandiganbayan upheld its earlier decision to acquit Estrada of indirect bribery and direct bribery due to lack of evidence.The case stemmed from P183 million in alleged kickbacks from &quot;fake projects&quot; in collusion with Napoles.

The Sandiganbayan has denied Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s motion for reconsideration seeking the dismissal of his graft cases in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

The Sandiganbayan has denied Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s motion for reconsideration seeking the dismissal of his graft cases in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

Sandigabayan junks Estrada motion for reconsideration in PDAF graft case

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Sandigabayan junks Estrada motion for reconsideration in PDAF graft case

ABS-CBN News

Published October 02, 2025 03:27 PM PHT

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Updated October 02, 2025 05:02 PM PHT

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