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Sem. Jinggoy Estrada addresses members of the media at the Senate building after the warrant of arrest was issued against him by the Sandiganbayan on Monday, June 1, 2027.
Philstar.com / Ian Laqui
MANILA, Philippines (3rd update: 4:35 p.m.) — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada refused to seek Senate custody as he moved t surrender Monday, June 1, following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him in a non-bailable plunder case.
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division earlier today ordered Estrada’s arrest over allegations that he received P573 million in kickbacks from flood control projects.
Estrada, speaking at a press conference in the Senate building before his surrender, said he had asked the Senate Secretary to put his salary on hold while he faces the case.
"Personal kong pasya ito upang ipakita sa sambayanang Pilipino na wala akong intensiyong makinabang sa pondo ng bayan habang nililinis ko ang aking pangalan," Estrada said. (This is my personal decision to show the Filipino people that I have no intention of benefiting from public funds while I clear my name.)
Estrada also said he would remain with the Senate majority bloc but would not seek the chamber’s protective custody.
"I will not yield to threats. I will not be intimidated. I will not be pressured into surrendering my independence of judgment," he said.
Crying Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was accompanied by senators from the majority bloc as he surrenders to the PNP-CIDG after a warrant of arrest was issued by the Sandiganbayan against him for plunder. | @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/9EFmKA1HYb
— Ian Patrick Laqui (@IanLaquiPatrick) June 1, 2026"Nakahanda akong ipagtanggol ang aking sarili sa hukuman at hindi ako magtatago sa likod ng institusyong ito upang umiwas sa proseso. Ipagtatanggol ko hanggang sa huli ang aking sarili para patunayan na walang batayan ang mga paratang sa akin," Estrada added.
(I am ready to defend myself in court and I will not hide behind this institution to evade the process. I will defend myself until the end to prove that the allegations against me are baseless.)
Several majority senators, including Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, stood beside Estrada as he addressed reporters. Some appeared teary-eyed as he prepared to surrender.
After the briefing, Estrada left for police headquarters Camp Crame in Quezon City for processing by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. He was accompanied by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and senators from the majority bloc.
Estrada is expected to be detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas.
The senator's lawyers earlier on Monday filed an omnibus motion ad cautelam assailing the charges filed by the Ombudsman. The senator said he was not given a chance to respond to the Ombudsman’s findings.
Plunder is non-bailable when evidence of guilt is strong. Estrada’s graft charge is bailable, and he posted bail on May 29.
Estrada’s decision not to seek Senate custody draws a contrast with the majority recent move granting protection for Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa who evaded an International Criminal Court arrest when he resurfaced on May 11 after months in hiding. On May 14, Dela Rosa left the premises before dawn, after gunfire was heard inside the Senate complex the previous night.
Meanwhile, Estrada and his co-accused, former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan is set to be arraigned on Tuesday, June 2 for their graft charge. — with reports from John Marwin Elao
