Image from Instagram/@iamkarendavila
The broadcaster’s post followed the senator’s surrender and detention in connection with a plunder case tied to alleged flood-control kickbacks.
Broadcast journalist Karen Davila commented on the public reaction to the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, after reports and images showed senators becoming emotional as he was taken into custody.
Estrada surrendered and was taken into custody on Monday, June 1, after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant in connection with a plunder case tied to alleged kickbacks from flood-control projects.
In a public post, Davila referred to the scene involving lawmakers and their colleague.
“Senators were seen crying yesterday as a colleague was being arrested for plunder,” Davila wrote, adding that her comment was “in no way an indictment of the accused senator.”
Davila also wrote: “Iyakan n’yo ang ninanakawang Pilipino” (“Cry for the Filipino people being robbed”); “Iyakan n’yo ang binabaha dahil sa nakawan sa flood control” (“Cry for those flooded because of theft in flood-control projects”); and “Iyakan n’yo ang gutom nating mga kababayan” (“Cry for our fellow Filipinos who are hungry”).
Prosecutors allege Estrada received more than ₱570 million in kickbacks linked to flood-control projects. The plunder case has been described in official reports as carrying no right to bail.
Estrada has denied wrongdoing and has described the case as politically motivated. Before being detained, he said he would not seek custody in the Senate and would submit to the judicial process.
The case remains pending before the anti-graft court and Estrada retains the presumption of innocence.
