Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada Jr filed a petition for bail with the Sandiganbayan to obtain provisional liberty in a plunder case. The filing seeks temporary release while the trial proceeds.
In a pleading submitted on Wednesday, Estrada argued that the prosecution’s evidence does not satisfy the legal threshold required for bail in offenses punishable by life imprisonment. He maintains that the case against him remains weak.
The Office of the Ombudsman charged Estrada on May 28, naming former Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and several other officials. Estrada surrendered on June 1 and has been detained at the New Quezon City Jail.
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division previously denied his request to fix bail, deeming it premature before a formal petition. The court emphasized that bail is not a right for defendants facing reclusion perpetua, such as plunder.
Estrada must now undergo a bail hearing in which the prosecution bears the burden of proving that the evidence of guilt is sufficiently strong. The court will decide on provisional liberty after evaluating that burden.
