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The Sandiganbayan has denied Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s motion to fix bail in the P573-million plunder case he is facing over his alleged involvement in the flood control corruption scandal, saying the request was premature.
In a resolution dated July 24, 2026, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division said that for a person charged with a capital offense, including plunder, bail is not a matter of right but is subject to the court’s discretion.
Estrada’s motion to fix bail seeks to have the court set the amount of bail he may post to secure his temporary liberty. The Sandiganbayan noted, however, that this is different from an application for bail.
The Sandiganbayan said it cannot fix the amount of bail unless Estrada first files the appropriate application for bail and, after the required hearing, the court determines that the evidence of guilt against him is not strong.
“Thus, accused Estrada’s prayer that the court immediately fix bail disregards the very purpose of the mandatory bail hearing required in prosecutions involving offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua. Accordingly, the court finds that the instant motion to fix bail is premature and devoid of legal basis,” it added.
Aside from the plunder charge, Estrada is also facing two counts of graft in connection with the alleged flood control corruption scandal—one before the Fifth Division and another before the Second Division. —VBL, GMA News
