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The Sandiganbayan Second Division has postponed the arraignment of Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Public Works chief Manuel Bonoan on graft charges in connection with the alleged flood control mess until June 4.
The anti-graft court’s Second Division, chaired by Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg, ordered the rescheduling pending resolution of the pleadings filed by Estrada and Bonoan.
Estrada has filed an urgent motion to reset his arraignment—where the accused formally enters a plea—citing the need to attend to his legislative duties, among other reasons.
He has also questioned the legality of the charges filed against him.
Bonoan, meanwhile, is expected to file a motion to quash the criminal information against him and has a pending request for hospital arrest before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.
He, along with Estrada and three Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) NCR officials, is facing separate plunder and graft charges in connection with the same flood control controversy.
Econg said the prosecution would need time to comment on the motions filed by the accused.
Estrada initially asked the Second Division to allow him to proceed with arraignment on the graft case, prompting Econg to note that he had already filed an urgent motion to reset the arraignment that was still pending resolution.
“Ang gulo niyo,” Econg said.
(You are confusing us.)
After conferring with his counsel, lawyer Noel Ostrea, Estrada withdrew his earlier manifestation to proceed with arraignment.
“I withdraw my previous manifestation [to be arraigned today],” Estrada said.—MCG, GMA News