Manila: The Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' anti-graft court, has mandated a 90-day preventive suspension of Senator Jinggoy Estrada. This decision comes as the senator faces charges of graft and plunder, accused of receiving kickbacks from questionable flood control projects.

According to Philippines News Agency, the court's Second Division issued a resolution that enforces the suspension pendente lite (pending litigation) of Estrada. This suspension not only affects his position as a senator but also extends to any other public office he might hold within the specified period of ninety days. The legal framework for this action is provided by Republic Act No. 7080, commonly known as the Plunder Law, and Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. These laws stipulate that officials facing criminal proceedings must be suspended from their duties.

Earlier this month, Estrada entered a not-guilty plea during his arraignment for graft charges. He is also facing a separate plunder charge in the Sandiganbayan's 5th Division, alongside former officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including former secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Currently detained at the Quezon City Jail, Estrada has consistently denied the allegations against him. He voluntarily surrendered to the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on June 1, following the issuance of a second arrest warrant by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division concerning a non-bailable plunder case.

In a public statement, Estrada declared that he would not seek Senate custody nor use his position to evade the charges. He has also directed the Senate Secretary to withhold his salary as he works to clear his name.