Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday assured the National Bureau Investigation (NBI) that quarantine rules were followed when he distributed milkfish in a barangay in San Juan City last May 3.
“I distributed the milkfish there with mask and quarantine pass,” read his letter he personally submitted to the office of NBI Deputy Director Vicente De Guzman III.
“I was even wearing my PPE (personal protective equipment) suit and face shield during the distribution,” he recounted.
“Social distancing procedure was also observed,” Estrada added.
The former lawmaker submitted the letter Wednesday morning at the office of De Guzman in response to the NBI official’s letter requiring Estrada to give a written explanation as part of the ongoing investigation.
Last May 3, Estrada was arrested by San Juan City police for violating enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols in distributing milkfish in Barangay Salapan, San Juan City as the operation allegedly lacked the nod of local government and resulted in chaos among the crowds who were trying to get relief.
Police filed no charges against Estrada who was only given a stern warning.
“[Justice] Secrfetary Menardo Guevarra directed the NBI to investigate,” said NBI Public Information Chief Nicanor Suarez.
Suarez pointed out “the initial step was to send a letter asking him (Estrada) to explain.”
“Lest it be misunderstood, it is not my intention to violate any law. Mine is pure and simple, like other private citizens and organizations are doing — help the poor during this pandemic. And I do not think that helping feed the starving and poor is a violation of the law,” Estrada said in his letter.
“If helping the poor and the needy, as what I did, is wrong. I do not know what right is,” he added.
The former lawmaker recounted that her mother, former Sen. Luisa “Loi” Ejercito Estrada owns a fish pen in Zambales and sent her son a truck-load of milkfish.
“On May 3, 2020, I was given a bunch of milkfish from Zambales, my mother’s birthplace. Too many that I and my family will not be able to consume them. Considering its nature, time was of the essence to distribute them for human consumption,” explained Estrada who had also served as mayor of San Juan City. (Jeffrey Damicog)
