Suspension of Estrada, Marcoleta on hold pending MR

MANILA, Philippines – The suspension order issued by the Sandiganbayan against Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada will be held in abeyance pending the final resolution of their motions for reconsideration, according to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.

Gatchalian confirmed that the Senate has already received the suspension orders from the anti-graft court.

“We also received letters from Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta asking that their suspensions be held in abeyance because we heard that they would file motions for reconsideration,” Gatchalian said in an interview with radio dzBB on Sunday.

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“Once a motion for reconsideration is filed, the suspension will be deferred until the motion is finally resolved,” he added.

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Gatchalian also said that Marcoleta and Estrada are not receiving their salaries because of their absences in the Senate. 

Early this month, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has ordered another 90-day preventive suspension of Estrada, as he faces a plunder charge in connection to the alleged flood control projects kickback scheme. 

The order came following the expiration of the initial suspension imposed by the court’s Second Division last June in connection with separate graft charges.

Last week, the Sandiganbayan Third Division also suspended Marcoleta for 90 days in connection with a plunder case for allegedly accepting a P75-million campaign donation while serving as an incumbent party-list lawmaker. /gsg