MANILA: The Sandiganbayan yesterday suspended Senator Jinggoy Estrada for 90 days pending litigation of his P172m plunder case in connection with the congressional fund scam.
“(Estrada) is hereby suspended from his position as senator of the Republic of the Philippines, and from any other public office which he may now or hereafter be holding for a period of 90 days from receipt of this resolution, unless a motion for reconsideration is reasonably filed,” read the eight-page suspension order.
Associate Justices Roland Jurado, Alexander Gesmundo and Ma Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta signed the ruling that seeks to prevent the senator from trying to influence the case or intimidate possible witnesses.
The anti-graft court’s Fifth Division granted the motion filed by ombudsman prosecutors, citing provision of Republic Act 7080 or the Plunder Law, which states that suspension of a public official accused of plunder is mandatory.
Section 5 of RA 7080 provides that “any public officer against whom any criminal prosecution under a valid information under this act shall be suspended from office…”
The Sandiganbayan dismissed Estrada’s argument that his suspension would paralyse his constituents.
“There will still remain 21 other senators of the Republic of the Philippines who can meet as such. The Senate President will surely know how to deal with the problem of filling up the temporary vacancies in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of the Senate,” the anti-graft court said.
“The fear of the accused that his constituents would be paralyzed when he is preventively suspended is remote,” it added.
In an earlier interview before he was detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center, Estrada said he expected the Sandiganbayan to suspend him along with his colleagues, Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon Revilla Jr who are also facing plunder charges.
Sought for comment on Senator Estrada’s suspension, his father Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said: “We can’t do anything. He just has to stay strong. If he did not do anything wrong then there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
The Philippine Star
