Jinggoy leaves for US; promises to come back to face plunder charges

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada flew to US with wife. File photo by Raffy Lerma / Inquirer News

The Philippine News Agency has reported that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and wife flew to San Francisco aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX 906 today, November 2nd.

Estrada flew to the United States for his wife’s medical check-up.

While at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, Estrada assured reporters and the nation that he will come back to the country to face the plunder charges filed against him.

Estrada has also expressed that there is no need to be alarmed by his departure, since he has informed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima of his scheduled trip.

The plunder charges were filed in light of the P10-billion pork barrel scam, wherein Estrada is just one of the 72 government officials who were accused of misusing their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) by funneling said funds to bogus non-government organizations to support ghost projects.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) wants Estrada’s passport, together with 36 other public officials, to be revoed by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

With reports from The Philippine Star, InterAksyon, and the Philippine News Agency.