Manila: Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday appealed to the Sandiganbayan to allow him to fully exercise his legal remedies before any coercive actions are taken in the plunder case filed against him. Estrada's appeal comes in the wake of an anticipated arrest warrant.

According to Philippines News Agency, Estrada received the Ombudsman resolution related to the plunder case only on Friday evening. This prompted him to seek relief from the anti-graft court, as he prepared for the possible issuance of an arrest warrant. His legal team filed an Urgent Omnibus Motion Ad Cautelam, requesting the court to quash the information, dismiss the case with prejudice, or suspend the proceedings for reinvestigation or completion of preliminary investigation.

Estrada emphasized the importance of these legal remedies, stating, "These are not mere technicalities. I firmly believe that I am entitled to avail myself of the remedies available under the law, including the filing of a motion for reconsideration, especially considering that I received a copy of the Ombudsman Resolution on the plunder case only on Friday evening."

He further asserted that it would be "fair and just" for the court to consider the filed motions before taking any coercive measures against him. "In anticipation of the possible issuance of an arrest warrant in the plunder case filed against me, I respectfully urge the Court to first give due consideration to the motions I have already filed and to uphold the principles of due process," Estrada stated.

Estrada also mentioned that his lawyers had previously filed pleadings with the Sandiganbayan, seeking the consolidation of cases and postponement of any arrest warrant, while he posted bail on graft charges last Friday.

"Hindi ito pag-iwas sa pananagutan sa batas, kundi pagtindig sa aking karapatan sa due process at sa pagkakataong maihain at maiparinig ang aking panig sa tamang paraan. Buo ang aking loob na harapin ang kasong ito at patunayan na walang katotohanan ang mga ibinibintang sa akin (This is not an attempt to avoid accountability under the law, but an assertion of my right to due process and the opportunity to properly present and be heard on my side. I am determined to face this case and prove that the accusations against me are not true)," Estrada affirmed.