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Sen. Jinggoy Estrada emerges from the Sandiganbayan on January 19, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

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SANDIGANBYAN-PLUNDER

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178001987784920240119-jinggoy-estrada-sandiganbayan-MT-4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sen. Jinggoy Estrada emerges from the Sandiganbayan on January 19, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was given two options to either surrender or face a looming arrest following the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/28/jinggoy-estrada-plunder-case-flood-control-scandal-1359">filing of a plunder case</a> against him in connection to the flood control scandal, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Friday. </p><p>DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that he personally spoke with Estrada on Thursday, the same day the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and plunder charges against the senator before the Sandiganbayan.</p><p>“Nag-usap kami kahapon, tinawagan ko siya. Sabi ko, either surrender or arrest. Sabi niya, pag-iisipin niya raw,” Remulla told reporters.</p><p>According to Remulla, Estrada raised concerns about his medical condition, particularly his need for knee replacement surgery.</p><p>“Ang concern niya ay ‘yung tuhod niya na kailangan ng knee replacement. Sabi ko, it’s beyond our jurisdiction, sa Sandigan na lang siya magpagliwanag,” the DILG chief said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/28/estrada-questions-due-process-in-graft-raps-against-him-at-sandiganbayan-1806">Estrada questions due process in graft raps against him at Sandiganbayan </a></div><p>Remulla said authorities were waiting for the Sandiganbayan’s instructions before carrying out the arrest order.</p><p>The DILG chief also stressed that Estrada would not receive special treatment once arrested or detained.</p><p>“The usual, nakita niyo naman unang inaresto namin. Lahat sila nandodoon sa BJMP, walang special treatment doon, walang aircon,” Remulla said.</p><p>He said he believed Estrada would likely surrender voluntarily.</p><p>“This is the third time [he’s been charged with plunder.] Sanay naman siya kung ano ang gagawin,” he said.</p><p>“Wherever he surrenders, we will process him, take his picture, medical, all his records, and then we will certify him fit for trial. And then papadala siya sa Sandiganbayan to be surrendered to the proper judicial authorities,” he added.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Y0-NDcDtcc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Estrada was dragged into the flood control scandal after former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Bulacan District Engineer<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/7/jinggoy-estrada-sues-ex-dpwh-engineer-who-implicated-him-in-flood-control-scam-0959"> Brice Hernandez </a>accused him of receiving kickbacks from flood control projects, which the senator denied.</p><p>Also named respondents in the case were ex-DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan, and local engineering officials from NCR, including Engr. Denryl Cortuna, Engr. Arturo Gonzales, Jr., and Engr. Manny Bulosan.</p><p>Estrada said Thursday he would <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/28/estrada-questions-due-process-in-graft-raps-against-him-at-sandiganbayan-1806">“exhaust all legal remedies.”</a></p><p>He said a letter from the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO) had stated that there was no record that he made any budget insertion, which he said was “set aside.” </p><p>He also alleged that legal cases against members of the majority bloc supposedly sped up after a recent change in Senate leadership.    </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/27/palace-denies-targeting-senate-majority-with-legal-cases-1254">Palace denies targeting Senate majority with legal cases</a></div><p>“As I have said before, if this is the price that I have to pay for standing by my principles and for what I believe in, then so be it. Ipagpapatuloy ko ang paghahanap ng katotohanan at ang pagtatanggol sa aking pangalan sa tamang forum at alinsunod sa batas,” he said. </p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/klmUtlYY8IY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lbnhT_21f1A?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was given two options to either surrender or face a looming arrest following the filing of a plunder case against him in connection to the flood control scandal, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Friday. </p>

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was given two options to either surrender or face a looming arrest following the filing of a plunder case against him in connection to the flood control scandal, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Friday.

Surrender or arrest: Jinggoy Estrada given two options after plunder case filing — DILG

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Surrender or arrest: Jinggoy Estrada given two options after plunder case filing — DILG

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 29, 2026 10:02 AM PHT

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Updated May 29, 2026 12:07 PM PHT

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Jinggoy Estrada

flood control

Sandiganbayan

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