The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday confirmed that the plunder and graft complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan have been submitted for resolution.
Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said Estrada, Bonoan, and their co-respondents have already filed their respective counter-affidavits.
“We have 60 days to resolve it, extendible by 30, unless any other incident may be pending, which we know na wala na. So let us wait for resolution,” Martinez told reporters.
When asked about claims from Estrada’s legal camp that some witness affidavits were “inconsistent,” Martinez said the matter would be evaluated by the prosecutors handling the case.
“We don’t want to preclude the prosecutors’ assessment. The argument ng may inconsistency [is from] the respondents’ defenses.”
He added that the case is proceeding under the usual legal process, with prosecutors reviewing the evidence to determine if it meets the required legal standard.
“Wala namang big challenge, ordinary course of procedure lang. Isinubmit for resolution, titingnan natin ang ebidensya, susuriin natin at if they meet the prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction na standard then file it in court, then if not, dismiss it,” Martinez explained.
Estrada and Bonoan face complaints for alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, plunder, and direct bribery in connection with suspected irregularities in flood control projects in Bulacan.