Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the suspension orders on Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta have been held in abeyance until the Sandiganbayan orders become final.
In an interview on radio dzBB on Sunday, Gatchalian said he recently received copies of the 90-day suspension orders on Estrada and Marcoleta but noted the Senate has not yet implemented the directives while waiting for them to become final, as both detained senators intend to file motions for reconsideration.
“Kakakuha pa lang namin yun order from the Sandiganbayan. Nakakuha rin ako ng sulat na i-hold muna in abeyance yung suspension dahil ang balita namin sa kanilang mga staff magpa-file sila ng motion for reconsideration. So, yung mga ganitong suspension, pag nag-file ng motion for reconsideration, hindi muna sinu-suspend until maging final na yung kanilang motion for reconsideration. Ganyan ang naging practice in the past at yan din po ang sinusundan natin,” Gatchalian said.
On October 19, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued a 90-day suspension against Marcoleta due to a non-bailable complaint of plunder filed by the Office of the Ombudsman regarding alleged ill-gotten wealth, after he failed to declare P75 million in campaign donations received ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
Estrada was served another 90-day suspension in a Sandiganbayan order dated October 12. He was previously suspended by the Second Division in June this year in connection with a P573-million plunder and graft case linked to anomalous flood control projects.
Suspension orders against lawmakers prevent them from performing their duties as legislators to ensure they cannot use their office to influence witnesses or tamper with testimonies.
Gatchalian said Estrada and Marcoleta sent him a formal request to temporarily defer their suspension orders pending the outcome of their motions for reconsideration.
“So, aantayin naming maging final ang decision for the motion for reconsideration…Si Senator Jinggoy, yung unang suspension niya ganyan din eh,” Gatchalian added.
Gatchalian said both Estrada and Marcoleta have not been receiving their salaries and allowances since they were detained.
Regarding Sen. Loren Legarda, who has been on extended medical leave since August 3, Gatchalian said she has likewise not been claiming her salaries and allowances.
He said he has no details on when Legarda will return, as she continues to notify the Senate of her medical leave on a week-to-week basis.
“Ang kanyang pag abiso is on a weekly basis. So I am assuming na meron nga siyang sakit…So, I wish her all the best…At least from my end, walang kaong nakukuhang ganon na information at wala rin siyang sinasabi na ganong information,” Gatchalian also said.