Authorities arrest a senator for corruption

Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada surrendered to police authorities after an anti-graft Sandiganbayan court issued an arrest warrant for plunder.

Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada | Photo by Joseph Vidal, Senate Social Media Unit

Manuel Mogato | June 1, 2026

MANILA — Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada surrendered to police authorities after an anti-graft Sandiganbayan court issued an arrest warrant for plunder.

He was committed to the Quezon City jail, joining a former colleague, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who also faced a similar plunder case involving million-peso flood control projects.

Manuel Bonoan, a former secretary of public works and highways, and three others were also ordered arrested for non-existent public work projects.

“I will defend myself till the end,” Estrada told journalists before leaving the Senate building to turn himself to the police in Camp Crame.

Estrada said he will not seek the Senate’s protective custody and that he will face his cases head on.

This was the third time Estrada faced corruption charges before the anti-graft court.

The first was in early 2000 when his father, former president Joseph Estrada, was charged with accepting bribes from illegal gambling operators and kickbacks from the tobacco taxes.

After 10 years, he was again charged with plunder for millions in pork barrel funds.

He was acquitted on both charges.

His latest case stemmed from kickbacks of more than 500 million in anomalous infrastructure projects..

Last month, another senator evaded arrest after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity.

Three more senators may face arrest for plunder charges.