The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has denied Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s request to attend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, ruling that his motion lacks merit.
In a seven-page resolution dated July 9, 2026, the anti-graft court said Estrada’s request could not be considered an emergency or a compelling reason to grant him temporary leave from detention.
“While an impeachment trial is of paramount constitutional importance, its significance does not, by itself, provide a basis for the grant of his request,” the court said.
Estrada is currently detained while facing a non-bailable P573-million plunder case and two counts of graft over his alleged involvement in the flood control fund controversy.
The court noted that the impeachment trial is expected to last 31 weeks, making Estrada’s request incompatible with the purpose of preventive detention.
“Such a prolonged and recurring arrangement cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered an emergency or compelling temporary leave from detention,” the resolution read.
The Sandiganbayan also said allowing Estrada to attend the proceedings would effectively give him the privileges of a free man despite being under detention.
It added that granting the request would undermine the purpose of preventive detention and substantially weaken the restrictions that lawful detention entails.
