A large number of documents were carried upon arrival at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Thursday to formally file plunder and graft charges against Senator Jinggoy Estrada in connection with a flood control project in Bulacan.
MANILA, Philippines — Plunder and graft charges have been filed against Senator Jinggoy Estrada at the Sandiganbayan over alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.
Also included in the charge sheet are former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, DPWH National Capital Region Assistant District Engineer Denryl Cortuna, and district engineers Arturo Gonzales Jr. and Manny Bulosan. Bail was not recommended for the accused.
Former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral was dropped from the case due to her death, while former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara, and former NCR Regional Director Gerard Opulencia were not included as they are under the Witness Protection Program.
This is the third time Estrada has been charged with similar cases in the past 25 years.
Estrada is also the highest-ranking incumbent government official to be charged with criminal cases due to the flood control mess.
It will be recalled that in 2001, Estrada was charged with plunder over jueteng, and in 2014, he was charged with plunder, graft, direct and indirect bribery for the improper use of the P183 million discretionary or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
Estrada was acquitted of plunder, direct and indirect bribery but still faces 11 counts of graft at the Sandiganbayan over the PDAF funds.
Currently, Estrada has a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) from a Manila court, also due to the flood control mess.
The criminal charges related to the anomalous flood control project filed against Estrada are the fourth batch of criminal cases since the Ombudsman assumed office in October 2025.
Meanwhile, the graft and malversation cases of Estrada were raffled off yesterday. The graft case went to the Sandiganbayan 2nd Division, the second graft case went to the 5th Division, and the plunder case went to the 5th Division.
Estrada has not yet commented on the issue.
Sandiganbayan
The Sandiganbayan is a special appellate court in the Philippines with jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft, corruption, and other offenses committed by public officials. Established in 1978 under Presidential Decree No. 1606, it was created to ensure the speedy prosecution of high-level government corruption cases. The court operates as a collegial body, with its decisions subject to review only by the Supreme Court.
Quezon City
Quezon City, located on Luzon Island in the Philippines, served as the country’s capital from 1948 to 1976 and is named after former President Manuel L. Quezon. It was established in 1939 to replace Manila as the national capital, though Manila regained the title later. Today, it is the most populous city in the Philippines, known for its cultural institutions like the Quezon Memorial Circle and the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Bulacan
Bulacan is a province in the Philippines known for its significant role in the country’s history, particularly during the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. It was in the town of Malolos where the First Philippine Republic was established in 1899, making it a key site of national heritage. Today, Bulacan is celebrated for its historical landmarks, vibrant culture, and traditional crafts such as jewelry
Sandiganbayan
Sandiganbayan is a special appellate court in the Philippines that handles criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices committed by public officials, particularly those with a salary grade of 27 and above. Established in 1978 under Presidential Decree No. 1606, it was created to promote accountability and integrity in government service. The court plays a crucial role in the country’s anti-corruption efforts, operating as a collegial body with multiple divisions.
Quezon City
Quezon City, located in the Philippines, is the country’s most populous city and served as the national capital from 1948 to 1976. It was named after Manuel L. Quezon, the second president of the Philippines, who envisioned it as a new capital city to replace Manila. Today, it remains a major cultural, economic, and political hub, home to key institutions like the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Quezon Memorial Circle.
Bulacan
Bulacan is a province in the Philippines, located north of Manila, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. It played a significant role in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule, being the site where the First Philippine Republic was established with the Malolos Constitution in 1899. Today, it is celebrated for its historical churches, festivals like the Singkaban Festival, and traditional crafts such as jewelry-making and pyrotechnics.
Manila
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a bustling metropolis with a rich history shaped by Spanish colonization, American influence, and World War II. Founded in 1571 by Spanish conquistadors, it served as a major trading hub in Asia and later became the site of the infamous Battle of Manila in 1945, which devastated much of the city. Today, it is a vibrant cultural center, blending historic landmarks like Intramuros with modern urban life.
University of the Philippines Diliman
The University of the Philippines Diliman, located in Quezon City, is the flagship campus of the University of the Philippines system and a premier institution of higher learning in the country. Established in 1949, it was built on a former military reservation and has since become a hub for academic excellence, cultural development, and political activism, playing a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history. The campus is also known for its iconic landmarks, such as the Oblation statue, and its sprawling, tree-lined grounds that blend modernity with heritage.
Quezon Memorial Circle
The Quezon Memorial Circle is a national park and shrine located in Quezon City, Philippines, built to honor Manuel L. Quezon, the second president of the Philippines. It features a 66-meter-tall memorial tower surrounded by a circular road and gardens, with the tower housing a museum dedicated to Quezon’s life and legacy. The site was developed on the grounds of the former Quezon City Hall and remains a popular public space for recreation and cultural events.
Malolos
Malolos, located in the province of Bulacan, Philippines, is historically significant as the site of the First Philippine Republic, established in 1899. It served as the capital of the revolutionary government under President Emilio Aguinaldo, where the Malolos Constitution, the first republican constitution in Asia, was drafted and ratified. Today, the city is known for its well-preserved heritage sites, including the Malolos Cathedral and the Barasoain Church, which commemorate this pivotal era in Philippine history.
First Philippine Republic
The First Philippine Republic, also known as the Malolos Republic, was established on January 23, 1899, following the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spanish colonial rule. It was the first constitutional republic in Asia, with Emilio Aguinaldo as its president and a government based in Malolos, Bulacan. However, the republic was short-lived, as it was soon confronted by the Philippine-American War, leading to its dissolution in 1901 with the capture of Aguinaldo.
