Jinggoy Estrada attends bail hearing as witness takes stand in P573-million plunder case

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 28, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Philstar

Senator Jinggoy Estrada personally attended his bail hearing before the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday as prosecutors continued presenting witnesses in the plunder case linked to the flood control corruption scandal.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division is hearing Estrada’s petition for bail in connection with allegations that he received P573 million in kickbacks from government infrastructure projects. The senator is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail.

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo was scheduled to testify during Wednesday’s proceedings, following the testimony of former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan the previous day.

Bonoan told the court that Estrada was linked to requests for billions of pesos in infrastructure allocations under the 2025 national budget. He said the requests were coursed through Bernardo, including a proposed P1-billion Senate leadership fund.

However, Bonoan acknowledged during questioning that Estrada did not personally approach him about the additional funding request and that the list of proposed projects did not bear the senator’s signature.

The testimony forms part of the prosecution’s effort to demonstrate that the evidence against Estrada is strong enough to warrant his continued detention while the case proceeds. The defense, meanwhile, has the opportunity to challenge the witnesses’ statements and the evidence presented in court.

The bail proceedings are separate from the trial on the merits of the plunder charge. The Sandiganbayan must determine whether the evidence of guilt is strong before deciding whether Estrada may be granted bail.