Jinggoy: Not guilty (DRAFT)

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday entered a not guilty plea on the plunder  charges filed against him in connection with the pork barrel scam.

During his arraignment before the 5th Division of the Sandiiganbayan, Estrada also pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts of graft charges.

Estrada's co-accused, businesswoman Janet Napoles, also entered a not guilty plea on the plunder and graft charges.

The other accused Paulene Labayen, Estrada's deputy chief of staff and John Raymund de Asis remain t large.

Last Friday, the special prosecution panel withdrew its request to the Sandiganbayan to amend its charge sheet against Estrada and his co-accused after justices warned that doing so may lead to the release of the senator from detention.

Estrada is now detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame,Quezon City. 

Last week, Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. refused to enter any plea before the anti-graft court's 1st division during the arraignment of the plunder and 16 counts of graft filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.