Jinggoy refuses to enter plea to 'pork' charges

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday refused to enter any plea to the plunder and graft charges filed against him in connection with the pork barrel scam, citing his pending petitions before the Supreme Court.

The Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division enter a not guilty plea for Estrada, who is facing plunder and 11 counts of graft charges.

The senator's parents, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and former senator Loi Ejercito-Estrada; wife Precy and brother Jude, were present during the arraignment.

Estrada's co-accused, businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles entered a not guilty plea.

The other accused in graft cases related to the pork barrel scam 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 First Division during the arraignment of the plunder and 16 counts of graft filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.