Skip to content

Under investigation

Jinggoy Estrada

Senator of the Philippines; former Mayor of San Juan

Senate of the Philippines

Accusations

  • On May 18, 2026 the Department of Justice transmitted a preliminary investigation resolution to the Office of the Ombudsman recommending plunder under Republic Act 7080, graft under sections 3(b) and 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, direct bribery under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code, corruption of public officials under Article 212, and receiving gifts by public officers in connection with the flood control kickback scheme.
  • Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo identified Estrada in sworn testimony as among the elected officials receiving a percentage cut from district allocations, including a referenced ₱355 million Bulacan 1st district allocation.

Denial

Approached by reporters after the Senate session on May 18, 2026, Estrada declined to comment substantively and referred reporters to his counsel. He had earlier submitted a counter-affidavit during the DOJ panel phase. No fresh statement specifically responsive to the May 18 resolution had been issued at publication.

Source for denial →

Connected events

  1. Official action

    DOJ recommends plunder, graft charges vs Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and ex-DPWH chief Bonoan over flood control

    P355.0M Bulacan 1st district allocation cited in affidavit

    Plunder. Graft. Direct bribery. The Department of Justice forwarded those recommendations to the Office of the Ombudsman on May 18, naming Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan over the flood control kickback scheme.

    Cast in this event

    Denial (2)

    Estrada called the DOJ recommendation "baffling and unjust" in a May 19, 2026 statement, saying the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office found no record that he introduced any insertion into the budget. He had filed an omnibus motion before the DOJ on May 15 to reopen the preliminary investigation and present additional evidence.

    Bonoan's standing public posture, set on August 31, 2025 at the time of his resignation, has acknowledged the existence of irregularities in flood control projects while denying personal participation in any kickback arrangement. No fresh statement was issued in direct response to the May 18 DOJ resolution.