Sandiganbayan junks with finality Estrada’s, Napoles’ bail motions

MANILA—The Sandiganbayan on Thursday dismissed with finality the motions for bail of Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Janet Lim Napoles for lack of merit.

Estrada is being detained for the “non-bailable” offense of plunder for allegedly getting Php183 million “kickbacks” from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2004 to 2012 channeled through a bogus non-government organization (NGO) of Napoles.

Napoles is the alleged “brains” behind the Php 10-billion pork barrel and the Php 900-million Malampaya Fund scams.

“After this Court has scrutinized every detail of the evidence presented, there is no need to impose on it again the same duty prescribed on the same arguments,” the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division said.

“There being no new matter sufficiently persuasive to induce a modification of the questioned Resolution, the denial of the pending Motion for Reconsideration is only inevitable,” it added.

“Otherwise, as held in PCIB v. Escolin, a repetition of arguments or grounds already discussed in prior incidents may properly be categorized as merely for purposes of delay which this Court should never tolerate,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“WHEREFORE the Motion for Reconsideration filed by accused Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada is DENIED for lack of merit,” it added.

“In the same manner, the Motion for Reconsideration filed by accused Janet Lim Napoles is DENIED for lack of merit,” the Sandiganbayan said.