Sandiganbayan junks Jinggoy’s motion to dismiss plunder raps

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has denied the motion of former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to have his plunder case dismissed over his alleged involvement in the pork barrel fund scam.

The court’s 5th Division pointed out in its resolution which junked Estrada’s demurrer that there is enough evidence to continue their proceedings against the former lawmaker.

Estrada is accused of having received from 2004 to 2012 kickbacks amounting to P183.793 million from Napoles by coursing his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) through her bogus non-government organizations.

Sandiganbayan believes Estrada is the main plunderer on the case.

“This court maintains its position that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to establish all elements of the crime charged,” read the resolution.

“It is clear that the main plunderer so to speak is no other than Estrada, having control over his PDAF and without his participation, the whole scheme would not have begun,” it added.

“Of all the accused in this case, the participation of Estrada is the most vital, as he served as the spark plug which ignited the complex PDAF scheme.”

(With reports from Bombo Christian Yosores)