Jinggoy: "I did not steal a single centavo!"

By Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

Nov. 8, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO – Embattled Philippine Senator Jinggoy Estrada spoke up for the first time, after Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged mastermind in the ten billion peso pork barrel scam testified before the senate hearing on November 7.

Estrada was among the senators mentioned during the hearing that supposedly received kickbacks from Napoles, who allegedly set up fake organizations in an effort to steal public funds.

“It’s all pure hearsay. I am not guilty. I have done nothing wrong. I did not steal a single centavo from our people,” Estrada said.

Despite already facing a plunder case, along with Napoles and other senators, Juan Ponce Enrile and Bong Revilla, Estrada still traveled to the U.S. on November 2 for a long-scheduled medical trip.

This morning, he accompanied his wife to the UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco. “We are seeking a second opinion for the medical condition of my wife, Precy, because she discovered a lump on her breast. I arrived earlier in the U.S. earlier than her. I submitted all her medical documents and the reason why she wasn’t able to travel with me together was because my eldest daughter was hospitalized. She arrived last night,” Estrada explained.

His sent this message to people who think he’s not coming back to face the charges against him. “I was born in the Philippines. I was raised in the Philippines. I will die in the Philippines. In due time, I will prove that my critics are wrong.”

Filipinos here are torn. Others believe in Estrada’s innocence, while others don’t.

“I don’t think he’s capable of doing that. But you know, it seems that everyone in Philippine politics has to play dirty,” said Rusell Tiongson.

Patricio Torres is among those who think Estrada is among the guilty. He said, “You can see it from their actions.”

Through this toughest challenge of his political career, Estrada’s wife, Precy, said she will always stand by him. “In my heart, and my children’s hearts, we know he’s not guilty. We know he’s a good man, and he’s helped a lot of people,” she expressed.

Estrada concluded, “I think I can survive this.”

Senator Estrada assured the Filipino people that he will return before the senate resumes its session on November 18, ready to face the charges against him.

For now, it remains to be seen whether his name will be cleared in this scandal that’s turned Philippine politics upside down.

You may contact Henni Espinosa at henni_espinosa@abs-cbn.com for more information.