MANILA, Philippines — VOTING 3-2, the Sandiganbayan reversed its decision in January and acquitted Sen. Jinggoy Estrada of direct and indirect bribery charges in connection with his alleged involvement in the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam in 2013.
In a 26-page decision penned by Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Mendoza-Arcega, the Sandiganbayan’s Special Fifth Division granted Estrada’s motion for reconsideration and “reversed and set aside” its ruling on Jan. 19, 2024.
Associate Justices Rafael Lagos and Lorifel Pahimna concurred with Mendoza-Arcega’s decision while their colleagues Maryann Corpuz-Manalac and Bayani Jacinto dissented.
The anti-graft court ruled that Estrada was guilty of one count of bribery and two counts of indirect bribery.
“This ruling reaffirms the innocence I have consistently maintained throughout the ordeal, which spanned a decade, as I sought to prove the baselessness of the accusations against me,” Estrada said in a statement on Thursday.
“I never used public funds for personal interest. Above all, this decision proves that I did not betray the trust given to me by the people,” he said in Filipino.
Estrada added, “This experience has only further solidified my commitment to work tirelessly for the betterment of our nation as we move forward.”
He argued that direct bribery must be supported by evidence of actual delivery of the bribe but there was no proof of money changing hands involving him personally as the records of witness Benhur Luy only mentioned Pauline Labayen, the senator’s former staff, as the recipient of the P5 million kickback.
Estrada also stressed that the receipt by Labayen of kickbacks was “not tantamount to him receiving the same.”
“After a judicious re-evaluation of the evidence, we rule that these arguments merit consideration,” the Sandiganbayan said.
The Sandiganbayan acquitted Estrada and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles of plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam on account of reasonable doubt.
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