The Sandiganbayan has upheld its earlier ruling junking Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s demurrer to evidence and motion to dismiss the 11 counts of graft in connection with the allegedly unlawful disbursement of P183 million of Estrada’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to non-government entities of businesswoman Janet Napoles.
The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), on the other hand, yesterday said it has secured its second conviction against Janet Lim Napoles on 13 counts of money laundering in connection with her orchestration of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam in 2013.
In a 22-page resolution dated October 1, the Sandiganbayan’s Special Fifth Division denied for lack of merit Estrada’s motion for reconsideration in relation to a March 26 ruling
The earlier ruling junked his demurrer to evidence and motion to dismiss the 11 counts of graft against him in connection with the alleged misuse of P183 million of his PDAF.
In its latest resolution signed by Associate Justices Zaldy Trespeses, Maryann Corpus-Manalac and Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega, the Sandiganbayan said it saw no reason to “disturb its findings” in its earlier ruling.
It noted that the prosecution built a prima facie case against Estrada due to his repetitive action of endorsing Napoles-run NGOs as recipients of his PDAF.
The AMLC said that in a decision dated Oct. 1, 2025, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 158 has convicted Napoles of planning a scheme involving the creation of bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) to receive “pork barrel” funds for ghost projects.
“By making it appear that the funds originated from legitimate sources, Napoles concealed its criminal origin—an act that fully satisfied the elements of money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, as amended,” the AMLC said.
Napoles was sentenced to seven to 14 years in prison for each count of money laundering and ordered to pay fines totaling P94.15 million. The said judgment of conviction, however, may be subject to appeal.
Napoles was also convicted of money laundering in 2024 for a complaint similarly filed by the AMLC and the Department of Justice, which resulted in a sentence of seven to 14 years imprisonment and a P16-million fine.
The AMLC said the latest conviction comes as it intensifies efforts to investigate financial crimes linked to the flood control project controversy.
“This sends a strong message: those who abuse public funds will be held accountable,” said AMLC executive director Matthew David.
“The AMLC welcomes this court decision as a demonstration of AMLC’s relentless pursuit of individuals who exploit the financial system to conceal corruption,” he added.
