Senator Jinggoy Estrada reported to the Sandiganbayan on Friday to formally notify the court of his return to the Philippines following an overseas trip, in compliance with conditions set by the anti-graft court.
Estrada said he was required to appear before the court within five days of his arrival in the country after being granted permission to travel abroad while facing multiple graft cases. He presented a copy of his Philippine passport to confirm his return.
The senator is currently facing 11 counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division in connection with the alleged misuse of P183 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), also known as discretionary funds intended for his constituents.
In November last year, Estrada sought and was granted permission by the court to travel to Japan, Norway, and Austria. Aside from the PDAF-related cases, he is also facing criminal complaints linked to allegedly anomalous flood control projects.
Estrada has consistently and strongly denied all allegations against him, maintaining his innocence amid the pending cases.
