Philippine Senator Jinggoy Estrada said he would surrender to authorities after the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan ordered his arrest on a non-bailable plunder charge linked to alleged kickbacks from flood-control projects.
The court had earlier issued a bailable graft warrant against Estrada on Friday. He surrendered, posted bail and was released while denying any wrongdoing.
Estrada, 63, is accused of receiving more than 570 million pesos ($9.3 million) in kickbacks, based largely on allegations by a former government public works engineer. He has strongly rejected the claims.
Before leaving the Senate, Estrada suggested the cases against him were politically motivated due to his alignment with former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, a rival of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.. “I will not yield to threats. I will not be intimidated,” he said.
The senator, a former actor and son of former President Joseph Estrada, has previously faced corruption-related detention.
The case adds to legal troubles in the Senate. Senator Ronald dela Rosa remains in hiding after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity linked to the anti-drug campaign under Duterte.
Duterte, arrested last year and transferred to the Netherlands, is set to face trial in November over alleged crimes against humanity. Both Duterte and dela Rosa deny wrongdoing.