MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder and graft complaints before the Sandiganbayan against Senator Jinggoy Estrada in connection with alleged kickbacks from government flood control projects.

In a report, it said that Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano filed the charges against Estrada before the anti-graft court on May 28.

The cases stemmed from the recommendation of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which conducted a preliminary investigation following a criminal complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation-DOJ Public Works and Bid-Rigging Task Force.

In its resolution, the DOJ recommended the filing of plunder charges under Republic Act 7080 and graft charges under Sections 3(b) and 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The DOJ also recommended filing charges for direct bribery and receiving gifts by public officers under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code, as well as corruption of public officials under Article 212 against alleged private accomplices and entities.

Prosecutors alleged that Estrada, several former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and private contractors manipulated budget allocations and public bidding processes to divert government funds.

Aside from Estrada, those named as respondents in the complaints were former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Gerard Opulencia, Henry Alcantara, Bong Dinglasan, Denryl Caesar Cortuna, Manny Bulusan, Arturo Gonzales, and several unidentified Jane and John Does.

The filing marked the third time in the last 25 years that Estrada has faced plunder and related criminal charges.

Estrada was previously charged with plunder in 2001 over alleged jueteng payoffs. In 2014, he again faced plunder, graft, direct bribery, and indirect bribery charges linked to the alleged misuse of P183 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations.

He was acquitted in the plunder and bribery cases, although he continues to face 11 counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan over the alleged misuse of PDAF funds.

Estrada is also currently under a precautionary hold departure order issued by a Manila court in relation to the flood control project controversy.

The complaints filed on Thursday marked the fourth batch of criminal cases lodged by the Office of the Ombudsman since Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla assumed office in October 2025.

Remulla earlier disclosed on May 26 that criminal complaints would be filed against Estrada.