Zubiri: Estrada may continue duties as senator until Sandigan ruling becomes 'final, executory'

MANILA, Philippines: Senate President Juan Miguel «Migz» Zubiri said on Friday that the Senate would take notice and respect the decision of the Sandiganbayan, which acquitted Sen. Jose «Jinggoy» Estrada of plunder but convicted him of bribery.

Zubiri said the Senate also recognized the fact that there were still remedies available to Sen. Estrada under existing laws and the Rules of Court.

«He has the right to exhaust all of these. He can still file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Sandiganbayan; he can still file an appeal by certiorari with the Supreme Court,» said Zubiri in a statement.

«Until and unless the decision becomes final and executory, Sen. Estrada is duty-bound to continue performing his functions as Senator of the Republic,» he added.

The anti-graft court on Friday acquitted Estrada of plunder but convicted him of bribery in the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel.