MANILA, Philippines —The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan for plunder, a non-bailable offense.
The court’s Fifth Division also ordered the arrest of three former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways -- Denryl Caesar Cortuna, Manny Bulusan, and Arturo Gonzales Jr.
Last week, Estrada posted bail for a separate graft case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan. The senator was accused of receiving P573 million in kickbacks from an alleged flood control project.
Estrada has denied the charges.
Bonoan also denied involvement in the allegedly anomalous project.
Earlier Monday, the Philippine National Police said it is ready to arrest Estrada inside the Senate, even if he will be placed under the chamber’s protective custody.
