Manila: The Sandiganbayan has issued a warrant for the arrest of Senator Jose 'Jinggoy' Estrada in connection with a plunder charge filed by the Office of the Ombudsman. The charge alleges that Estrada received PHP573 million in payouts from flood control project allocations.

According to Philippines News Agency, the anti-graft court's Fifth Division also issued arrest warrants for Estrada's co-accused: former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former DPWH National Capital Region district engineer Arturo Gonzalez Jr., assistant district engineer Denryl Caesar Cortuna, and former DPWH district engineer Manuel Bulusan.

The non-bailable plunder charges were signed by Sandiganbayan 5th Division chairperson Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses. The warrants were addressed to the San Juan City Police Station, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Last Friday, the anti-graft court's Second Division also issued an arrest warrant against Estrada for a related graft case. Estrada managed to secure his provisional freedom by paying PHP90,000 bail on the same day.

Estrada, who is part of the Senate majority, has denied the allegations against him.