Ombudsman Moves to Garnish Estrada’s P183.79-M Alleged Ill-Gotten Wealth

(PNA) — The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) on Thursday filed before the Sandiganbayan an “Ex Parte Motion for Issuance of Writ of Preliminary Attachment/Garnishment” in order to “preserve and prevent any dissipation of prima facie ill-gotten wealth” allegedly acquired by Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada totaling Php 183,793,750.

Subject to possible forfeiture are Estrada’s known real and personal properties, bank accounts, shares of stocks, financial instruments and other properties.

Witness Benhur Luy earlier testified, during the priority development assistant fund (PDAF) trial, that from 2004 to 2012, Estrada received kickbacks, commissions, advance fees and bribe money amounting to Php 183,793,750 for endorsing non-government organizations (NGOs) controlled by co-accused Janet Lim Napoles.

Napoles is the alleged “brains” behind the Php 10-billion pork barrel and the Php 900-million Malampaya fund scams.

In a report, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), claimed that the total commissions or rebates received by Estrada from his PDAF were received by himself or through his dummies, namely: Pauline Labayen, Carl Dominic Labayen, Juan Tan Ng within a period of 30 days from the dates mentioned in the Luy ledger or summary of rebates.

The remaining Php 86.875 million, which were not included in the Luy ledger, were reflected in the fund transfers from Napoles to Juan Tan Ng and Francis Yenko who were considered by the AMLC as dummies of Estrada.

The Ombudsman said that the motion “is necessary to protect the interests of the State and to prevent the removal, concealment and disposition of ill-gotten properties and proceeds of plunder and corruption held by unscrupulous public officers.” (PNA) RMA/PTR/RSM