Philippine Senator Faces Arrest in Infrastructure Scandal

A Philippine senator and son of a former president could soon face arrest after an anti-corruption body charged him on Thursday with receiving illicit payouts in an infrastructure scandal that has slowed economic growth and hammered consumer and investor confidence.

The Office of the Ombudsman said Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada has been indicted for plunder and violating anti-corruption laws after he earned “kickbacks” amounting to 573 million pesos (US$9.3 million) from a scheme that defrauded infrastructure projects paid for by the national budget.

“If the honourable court finds probable cause, we anticipate the subsequent issuance of warrants of arrest against the principal respondents,” Assistant Ombudsman and spokesperson Mico Clavano told a press briefing.

Charged alongside Estrada are former public works minister Manuel Bonoan and engineering officials from the ministry.

Estrada did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. When asked by reporters on Tuesday about the impending charges, he said, “Well, if this is the price that I have to pay for standing on my own principles and what I believe in? So be it.”