Former senator Jinggoy Estrada was arrested on Sunday, May 3, for allegedly violating quarantine protocols while distributing food to residents in San Juan City.
It was evident in a video by Estrada’s daughter Janella posted on Facebook, where San Juan Police chief Police Colonel Jaime Santos arrested Jinggoy Estrada for violating social distancing measures.
“May nakarating na reports as well as photos na violated ‘yung social distancing saka ‘yung proper handling of food,” Santos said.
Jinggoy, in an interview with GMA News’ Bernadette Reyes, said that he was wearing personal protective equipment while he was distributing food,
Jinggoy insisted when speaking to reporters after his release, that the arrest was driven by local politics.
“This is local politics. The current administration of San Juan does not want us to help,” he said.
Estrada also said that several organizations have carried out relief operations in San Juan without permission from the local government.
“Why are they singling me out? Just because I’m an Estrada? Bawal na ba kami tumulong dito sa San Juan?” he said.
But San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora clarified that the Philippine National Police arresting Estrada was in line with the directives of the national government on the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine.
“The arrest of Mr. Jinggoy Estrada has nothing to do with politics in San Juan, but has everything to do with law and order, especially so now that we are collectively fighting this global pandemic.”
The feud between Estrada and Zamora worsened when Estrada’s daughter Janella lost to Zamora in the mayoral race.
Recently, Estrada accused Zamora of blocking a mobile market that sold goods at half-price which was an initiative of his daughter Janella, “Hinihingan ako ng business permit. Eh hindi naman negosyo ‘yong ginagawa namin. Kawanggawa, Huwag mo naman gamitin sa pamomolitika ito. Sa panahong ito kailangan magtulungan, kailangan mag-unite dahil iisa lang ang kalaban namin.”
