The Sandiganbayan Special Fifth Division has allowed Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s request to reverse his conviction. Estrada was convicted on one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery. The court found a lack of sufficient evidence supporting these charges.
On Thursday, the antigraft court released a 26-page resolution regarding its decision. The judges stated that the evidence presented in the case did not firmly establish Estrada’s guilt. The court focused on issues related to the “variance” doctrine, which considers whether the facts prove the offense charged.
The resolution pointed out that the available information concerning lesser offenses did not provide a strong argument for the charges against Estrada. The court emphasized that without clear proof, it could not uphold the convictions.
This ruling allows Estrada to pursue further legal options to clear his name entirely. The senator has maintained his innocence throughout the trial process, claiming that the accusations were baseless.
Senator Estrada was implicated in a corruption scandal involving the misuse of government funds. This scandal had significant political ramifications and attracted considerable media attention. His conviction in 2014 resulted in a lengthy legal battle, including appeals to various courts.
The recent court ruling can be seen as a critical development in Estrada’s fight against the charges. Following the ruling, his legal team expressed optimism about the senator’s chances of achieving full acquittal in subsequent proceedings. Estrada’s camp believes this decision illustrates the weaknesses in the prosecution’s arguments.