Graft court clears Jinggoy of plunder

THE Sandiganbayan acquitted Sen. Jose «Jinggoy» Ejercito Estrada of plunder in the 2013 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam masterminded by Janet Napoles.

In a 396-page ruling, the graft court's Fifth Division acquitted Estrada of charges of pocketing P183 million through Napoles.

Named respondents with Estrada and Napoles were his former chief of staff, Pauline Therese Mary Labayen, and John Raymund de Asis, an aide of Napoles.

Estrada was accused of amassing the P183 million through different foundations created by Napoles from 2004 to 2012.

The court said it failed to establish a conspiracy between Napoles and Estrada and that it was Napoles and Labayen who conspired to commit plunder.

The court, however, found Estrada guilty of one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery, which carry a prison sentence of up to 12 years and possible disqualification from public office.

The court said Estrada received a payoff of P1 million that was deposited in his bank account as part of the percentage cost of the project being funded by his PDAF, which constitutes direct bribery.

On the charge of indirect bribery, the court found that Estrada received P1.5 million from Napoles through Ruby Tuason, a businesswoman who acted as a liaison between Napoles and Estrada, former senator Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Ramon «Bong» Revilla Jr.

Informed of the Sandiganbayan ruling, Estrada told reporters on Friday that he was surprised about being found guilty for bribery.

«I have been exonerated from plunder, and I will tell my lawyers to express all remedies and all legal systems available for me,» he said.

Napoles was acquitted of plunder but was found guilty of seven counts of corruption, which carries a prison term of at least 12 years.

She was ordered to pay the government P262.03 million as civil liability.

The court also ordered the arrest of de Asis and Labayen, who remain at large.

Senate President Juan Miguel «Migz» Zubiri said the Senate respects the Sandiganbayan rulings on Estrada.

In a statement Friday, Zubiri said the Senate also recognizes the fact that there are still legal remedies available to Estrada.

«He has the right to exhaust all of these. He