MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is opposing the appointment of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as head of the Truth Commission.

In a privilege speech delivered on the Senate floor on Tuesday, Estrada accused Davide of “cheating, corruption, and nepotism” while he was chief justice of the Supreme Court. 

He claimed that Davide made questionable purchases, accusing him of involvement in an alleged anomaly involving the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF).

The JDF amounted to P5.4 billion from 2000 to 2002. 

However, Estrada said only P3.49 billion was used from the fund. He asked Davide to explain where the remaining P800 million was spent. 

According to the senator, Davide also failed to properly spend the P3.49 billion as required by law.

He said 80% of the amount should have gone to employees and judges’ wages and benefits while the remaining 20% should have been spent for facilities and office equipment. 

Estrada revealed that Davide’s office bought new furniture amounting to P16 million while another P8 million was spent for curtains. 

He said the former Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations also committed nepotism by employing two of his children in the judiciary. 

He revealed that the JDF in question was released under then Supreme Court Bids and Awards Committee vice-chairman Joseph Bryan Hilary Davide, a son of the former chief justice.

A daughter of the former chief justice, Norene Davide Salas, meanwhile, served as chairperson of the high court’s uniform committee.

He said Davide also took part in “one of the biggest cover-ups in Philippine history” by administering the oath of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“The first question that comes to mind, how can the very person who sealed the conspiracy to place Arroyo in power be the head of the body that will investigate her," Estrada said. He is a former chief justice who has ignored the law not by neglect but by design. He is an opportunistic politician who has circumvented the law to further his personal interest." 

Sought for comment, Davide said he will consider granting requests for media interviews after the Truth Commission is formed.  - with a report from Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News