MANILA — Senator Jinggoy Estrada surrendered to the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Sandiganbayan.

During a press conference, Estrada said he did not seek protective custody from the Senate and would instead face the charges lodged against him.

Interior Secretary Jomvic Remulla accompanied Estrada as he left the Senate premises.

Prior to his surrender, Estrada issued a statement urging the Sandiganbayan to first resolve the motions he had filed in connection with the plunder case against him before enforcing any arrest warrant.

“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 said.

According to the senator, his lawyers filed motions before the Sandiganbayan after he posted bail on graft charges last Friday. These included requests for the consolidation of the cases and the deferment of the issuance of an arrest warrant.

Estrada also said his legal team filed an “Urgent Omnibus Motion Ad Cautelam” on Monday seeking to have the information quashed, the case dismissed with prejudice, or alternatively, for the proceedings to be suspended and remanded for reinvestigation or completion of the preliminary investigation.

“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. It is only fair and just that I be afforded the opportunity to fully exercise these legal remedies before any coercive measures are taken against me,” he said.

Estrada maintained that his actions were aimed at asserting his legal rights and not avoiding accountability.

“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,” he said.