SENATOR Jinggoy Estrada was acquitted of plunder charge but was convicted of direct and indirect bribery, for which he was meted a jail term, in connection with the pork barrel scam.
Estrada was charged with plunder for allegedly pocketing P183 million in priority development assistance funds, which were allegedly diverted to bogus non-government organizations run by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.
Estrada, in an interview over CNN Philippines, said he was “happy and elated” over his exoneration for the main charge of plunder.
“I feel vindicated,” he said, adding that the charges against him were politically motivated and pursued by the previous administrations.
But he also said he would consult with his lawyers about his bribery conviction, and would file a motion for reconsideration to challenge this.
