MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Second Division denied Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s motion to quash a graft case linked to alleged kickbacks from government flood control projects, citing lack of merit.

In a report, it said that the anti-graft court rejected Estrada’s argument that his right to due process was violated in the filing of the charges, noting that he was given the opportunity to respond during preliminary proceedings before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“The accused was given a chance to defend himself by submitting the affidavit before the DOJ. The motion to quash… dismiss, is denied,” Sandiganbayan Second Division Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg said.

“There being no ground to prevent the arraignment of the accused, the court now proceeds with the arraignment,” she added.

Arraignment is the stage in court proceedings where an accused formally enters a plea.

Estrada attended his arraignment before the Sandiganbayan Second Division via video conference, a procedure allowed under Supreme Court guidelines since the anti-graft court operates under its supervision.

His graft case, involving alleged P573-million kickbacks from flood control projects, is pending before the Second Division, while a separate plunder case is being heard by the Fifth Division.

On the same day, Estrada withdrew his petition seeking bail for his plunder case, which is a non-bailable offense. The move came after justices of the Fifth Division reportedly warned that pursuing the bail petition could affect his pending motion to quash.

Earlier, the DOJ recommended the filing of criminal charges against Estrada in connection with the alleged flood control anomalies, a recommendation later adopted by Ombudsman prosecutors.

Following the denial of his motion to quash, Estrada refused to enter a plea. The court subsequently entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf.

Estrada is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in relation to the plunder case linked to the alleged flood control scheme.