Philippine prosecutors have filed criminal charges against Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada over his alleged involvement in a major corruption scandal tied to fraudulent flood control projects.
The charges were announced on Thursday, nearly a year after President Ferdinand Marcos highlighted the so-called “ghost” infrastructure projects during a national address in July 2025.
Authorities believe the projects, which reportedly cost Filipino taxpayers billions of dollars, were used as channels for diverting public funds through fake or non-existent infrastructure contracts.
Several construction company owners, government officials, and politicians have already been accused in connection with the scheme. However, this marks the first criminal case filed against a sitting senator over the scandal.
Speaking to reporters, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the charges against Estrada stemmed from what he described as “an intricate mechanism involving illegal budgetary insertions and project allocations” linked to the 2025 fiscal budget.
According to investigators, the arrangement allegedly enabled the senator to receive more than 573 million pesos, equivalent to about $9.2m, in kickbacks.
The charges filed against Estrada include graft and plunder. Under Philippine law, plunder is considered a non-bailable offence involving large-scale corruption and carries a possible life sentence upon conviction.
Also named in the case are former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan and several local engineering officials.
Estrada, the son of former Philippine President Joseph Estrada, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“Our case is built on solid, immovable evidence,” Clavano told journalists. “The Office of the Ombudsman is determined to pursue all cases still pending. We have one shot to get these cases right. The Filipino people need to see justice.”
He added that arrest warrants could be issued once the court determines there is probable cause to proceed with the case.
Earlier this week, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that approximately eight additional senators are under investigation, while at least three may also face charges. However, he did not reveal their identities.
Remulla also confirmed that Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos and former House Speaker, is being investigated after being linked to the scandal. Romualdez resigned from his position in September 2025 following public scrutiny over the allegations.
Last year, former congressman Elizaldy Co, public works officials, and members of a construction firm were separately charged in relation to the alleged scheme.
Corruption has remained a longstanding challenge in the Philippines, where critics argue that weak accountability systems and political patronage have contributed to widespread poverty despite the country’s economic potential.
Estrada had previously faced corruption charges in 2014 over allegations that he diverted millions of dollars intended for government development projects. He was acquitted of those charges in 2024.
