Broadcast journalist Karen Davila criticized lawmakers who were seen becoming emotional during the surrender of Senator Jinggoy Estrada following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him in connection with plunder and graft charges linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Estrada surrendered to authorities on June 1 after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for his arrest. The senator is facing a non-bailable plunder case stemming from allegations that he received kickbacks from flood control projects.
In a post on X on June 2, Davila expressed her disappointment over reports and footage showing several senators visibly emotional as Estrada was escorted by authorities.
“Senators were seen crying yesterday as a colleague was being arrested for plunder,” Davila wrote.
She clarified that her remarks should not be interpreted as a judgment on Estrada’s guilt or innocence but rather as a reminder to lawmakers about where their sympathy should be directed.
“This is in no way an indictment of the accused senator, but I would like to remind our lawmakers… Iyakan n’yo ang ninanakawang Pilipino,” she said.
Davila went on to highlight the plight of ordinary Filipinos affected by corruption and poor public services.
“Iyakan n’yo ang binabaha dahil sa nakawan sa flood control. Iyakan n’yo ang gutom nating mga kababayan,” she added.
The veteran broadcaster also urged lawmakers to be more aware of the realities faced by many citizens.
“Get out of your bubble. Please,” she wrote.
According to reports, Senators Camille Villar and Imee Marcos appeared emotional after Estrada concluded a statement before members of the media and was escorted by authorities, including Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Prior to his surrender, Estrada maintained that he would face the allegations against him and would not seek special treatment from the Senate.
“I will not yield to threats. I will not be intimidated. I will not be pressured into surrendering my independence of judgment,” the senator said.
He also stressed that he would not use his position in the Senate to shield himself from the charges.
“Above all, I will not place myself under Senate custody. I will not seek Senate custody. I will not use the Senate as a shield against the allegations being leveled against me,” Estrada added.
Aside from Estrada, authorities also ordered the arrest of former Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan and several former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region in connection with the same plunder case.
