Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday said he is ready to face the cases that the Office of the Ombudsman is set to file against him, saying he stands by his principles and maintains that his conscience is clear.
“If this is the price I have to pay for standing on my own principles and in what I believe in, then so be it,” Estrada told Senate reporters in a chance interview.
The senator said he would first consult his lawyers before deciding on his next legal steps.
Asked whether he believed politics was behind the impending cases, Estrada replied: “Your guess is as good as mine.”
He declined to directly answer when asked if he considered the move a form of harassment.
For now, Estrada said he would continue performing his duties as a senator, stressing that he has nothing to hide.
“Sabi ng LBRMO wala akong insertion, katulad ng sinabi nila noong first Blue Ribbon Committee hearing,” Estrada said, referring to the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO).
He was responding to allegations previously raised in a House hearing by Brice Hernandez, who claimed that Estrada had budget insertions.
“Binulgar ni Brice Hernandez sa House na meron akong insertion. Nagkataon dito sa LBRMO wala silang record na ako’y may insertion ng ganoong halaga,” he added.
Estrada said the LBRMO found no record showing that he made budget insertions of the amount being alleged.
The senator’s remarks came as he prepared for another legal battle before the Ombudsman, even as he insisted that he would continue working while leaving the matter to his lawyers and the proper legal process.