Estrada answers plunder, other charges

SEN. Jinggoy Estrada on Thursday filed his counter-affidavit before the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking the dismissal of the plunder and other criminal charges filed against him for allegedly receiving kickbacks from the government's flood control projects.

- BY JOEL R. SAN JUAN

At the same time, Estrada through his lawyers asked the Regional Trial Court in Manila to lift the precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) issued against him upon the request of the DOJ to prevent him from leaving the country pending the resolution of the complaint.

Lawyer Bianca Soriano, counsel for Estrada, said they filed an omnibus motion before the trial court in Manila, first seeking the reconsideration of the issuance of the PHDO and then to order its lifting.

"It should be lifted because the rules require that there should be a probable cause and; second that the respondent is a flight risk... Senator Jinggoy Estrada is not a flight risk," Soriano said.

She cited Estrada's continued compliance with the requirements set by the Sandigabayan, which is handling a separate graft case against him involving the disbursement of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (Pdaf), for him to be allowed to travel.