Senator Jinggoy Estrada posted P90,000 bail for his graft case hours after the Sandiganbayan issued his warrant arrest on Friday.

Estrada and other former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were charged with graft and plunder cases for their alleged involvement in the controversial flood control mess.

He posted bail for his graft case at the Second Division of the anti-graft court while another warrant of arrest for his plunder case may also be issued by the Fifth Division of the same court.

Estrada's lawyer said they filed an urgent motion before the Sandiganbayan to withdraw the arrest warrant for plunder since they have not received the information from the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman regarding this complaint.

Plunder means that Estrada cannot seek bail.

In his statement, Estrada claimed that the allegations against him are baseless.

"I am personally posting bail before the Sandiganbayan in relation to the arrest warrant issued by its Second Division. Posting bail is a legal remedy available to me under our justice system, and I intend to avail myself of every lawful means to defend myself and clear my name," he said.

"I am strongly denying the allegations against me. These are baseless and have no traces of truth. I respect the rule of law and our judicial institutions, and this is precisely why I am posting bail and personally submitting myself to the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan," he added.

Estrada said that he is hoping for "fair treatment, due process, and impartiality" in the hearing of his case.

"I trust that in the end, justice and the truth will prevail," he added.

This is the fourth complaint filed by the Sandiganbayan regarding the flood control mess where hundreds of millions of pesos were squandered by politicians.

Estrada is the first senator to face charges over the flood control case but Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said more lawyers may face arrest warrants in the next few weeks. Robina Asido/PHS