THE Sandiganbayan has once again postponed the arraignment of Senator Jinggoy Estrada on graft and plunder charges.
According to the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, Estrada’s arraignment has been reset to June 30, along with that of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who is facing similar charges.
The postponement was made pending the resolution of several motions filed by both accused.
Meanwhile, their co-accused—DPWH-NCR Assistant District Engineer Denryl Cortuna and District Engineers Manny Bulusan and Arturo Gonzales—entered not guilty pleas to the graft and plunder charges against them.
The Sandiganbayan also gave the prosecution ten days to submit its comments on the motions filed by Estrada and Bonoan.
In addition, the court directed Bonoan’s legal team to submit his medical certificate after he failed to appear at the scheduled arraignment.
According to his lawyer, Bonoan’s doctors have yet to provide the Philippine National Police (PNP) with an updated report on his medical condition.
Bonoan had earlier filed a motion seeking hospital arrest after reportedly suffering from hypertension.
Meanwhile, Estrada’s camp withdrew its motion to set bail and its request to transfer the senator to Camp Crame.
Estrada’s lawyer told the court that they first want the resolution of their motion to quash the information filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before addressing other matters related to the case.
In photo: Senator Jinggoy Estrada is escorted by personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) as he enters the Sandiganbayan building for his scheduled arraignment, which was again postponed by the court and reset to June 30
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