Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday said he respects the San Juan City Regional Trial Court’s decision rejecting his request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez, adding that the same ruling also prohibits public commentary on the ongoing case.
In a statement, Estrada’s office clarified that the October 30 resolution of RTC Branch 160 did not resolve his petition for a writ of preliminary injunction, which seeks to stop Hernandez from making further claims linking the senator to alleged anomalies in the government’s flood control projects.
“Importantly, the court’s resolution itself included a categorical reminder that any further public statements or discussions regarding the subject matter of the case are already covered by the sub judice rule,” Estrada’s office said.
“The court expressly proscribed comments—whether made through traditional media or digital platforms—that could influence the court, prejudice the issues, or obstruct the administration of justice,” it added.
The senator’s camp cited a portion of the ruling which stated that “further imputations against (Estrada) are already covered by the sub judice rule.”
“Consistent with this rule, therefore, any imputations, comments, or discussions made either through conventional or digital platforms, outside the realm of official legislative inquiries and investigations, pertaining to the present judicial proceedings that would in any manner tend to influence the court, prejudge the issue, and in general, obstruct the administration of justice, are hereby proscribed,” the court said.
The ruling, however, clarified that this restriction does not prevent Hernandez from attending congressional hearings or other official investigative bodies conducting inquiries into the flood control project controversy.
Estrada’s office said the senator would abide by the court’s directive out of respect for judicial independence.
“Senator Estrada fully respects and will abide by this judicial proscription, consistent with his unwavering faith in the rule of law and the integrity of our courts,” his office said.
“He maintains that the proper forum for the vindication of rights is the courtroom, not the media,” it added.
Estrada’s camp reiterated his confidence that due process will ultimately establish the truth through the courts, not through public debate.
Hernandez previously alleged that Estrada had allocated ₱355 million for flood control projects in Bulacan and received 30% kickbacks from the total project cost—claims that the senator has consistently and categorically denied.