The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) assured the public that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and his co-accused in a plunder case will not receive special treatment while under detention.
Estrada and public works officials Manny Bulusan, Arturo Gonzales Jr., and Denryl Cortuna were committed to the Quezon City Jail on Monday after the Sandiganbayan ordered their arrest for plunder.
“The BJMP firmly assures the public that no VIP treatment will be extended,” BJMP spokesperson Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said.
He said the four high-profile detainees have undergone mandatory medical screening and have been admitted to the general population of persons deprived of liberty.
“All four high-profile detainees have completed mandatory medical screenings, have been admitted to the general PDL population, and are subject to strict, uniform security and custodial protocols,” Bustinera said.
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla also said Estrada and his co-accused would be treated like other detainees.
“No special privileges. No exemptions. The process is the same for everyone. That is how public trust in our institutions is preserved,” Remulla said.
Estrada, Bulusan, Gonzales, and Cortuna were either arrested or surrendered after the anti-graft court issued warrants against them.
A fifth accused, former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, surrendered but was brought to the PNP General Hospital after his blood pressure rose.
PNP General Hospital chief Col. Cleto Manongas said Bonoan, 80, was taken to the hospital on Monday after his blood pressure reached 170/100.
Manongas said Bonoan’s condition improved after medication, with his blood pressure later dropping to 150/90, then 130/70.
“As of now, the former secretary is stable, no symptoms and his BP is 120/70. His BP is stable. Yes, he can stand trial,” Manongas said.
Bonoan was transported by the PNP to the Sandiganbayan at around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday after doctors declared him fit to attend proceedings. He was returned to the PNP General Hospital at around 4 p.m.
Asked whether Bonoan should be placed under hospital arrest, Manongas said the decision rests with the Sandiganbayan.
“It’s up to them [Sandingangbayan] to say if he should be on hospital arrest or not,” he said.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for the orderly and peaceful arrest of Estrada.
“By prioritizing professionalism and the rule of law, we achieved a smooth process that benefited both sides, completely avoiding unnecessary confrontation while fully upholding the dignity of our legal system. This is how professional law enforcement works,” Nartatez said.
He said police stood firm in implementing the arrest warrant without fear or favor.
“The PNP operates strictly on legal frameworks, meaning no individual is above the law, regardless of rank or title. We remain focused on our mandate of locating and arresting all those in the fugitives list,” Nartatez said.