Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities are prepared to process Sen. Jinggoy Estrada if he decides to surrender following the filing of a plunder case against him over the alleged flood control projects scandal.
Speaking to reporters, Remulla said he called Estrada at around 4 p.m. Thursday and told him that law enforcement would act once a warrant of arrest is issued.
“I called him. I told him it’s surrender or arrest. He said he will think about it,” Remulla said.
Asked whether Estrada was inclined to surrender, Remulla said: “That’s right.”
“Either way, I think most probably he will surrender,” he added.
The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday filed a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Estrada and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan in connection with the alleged flood control projects scandal.
Estrada had previously faced plunder charges in 2001 and 2014 and was detained in connection with those cases, which were later dismissed.
Remulla said authorities would process Estrada wherever he chooses to surrender, including booking procedures, photographs, medical examination, and documentation before he is brought before the Sandiganbayan.
“We will process him if he surrenders, wherever he surrenders. We will process him, take his picture, medical or all his records, and we will certify him fit for trial and then we will bring him to Sandigan,” Remulla said.
He stressed that authorities would move depending on which happens first, voluntary surrender or arrest.
“Whatever comes first, whether he surrenders or we arrest. We will do whatever is necessary,” Remulla said.
The Interior chief also said Estrada mentioned during their conversation that he may need to undergo knee replacement surgery.
Remulla said he told Estrada that any request for medical treatment would have to be addressed to the Sandiganbayan, not the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“I told him it’s beyond our jurisdiction,” Remulla said.
The case adds another legal battle for Estrada, who has twice before faced plunder accusations but secured the dismissal of both cases.