DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday, May 4, said former senator Jose Ejercito Jr. "Jinggoy Estrada committed four violations while distributing relief goods to the residents of San Juan City.
"Unang una wala siyang official coordination from the city government so paglaban yan sa ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) guidelines, pangalawa 'yung mga nagdi-distribute wala rin silang quarantine pass, they are not authorized persons outside residence so violation na naman yun," Año said during the Laging Handa forum Monday.
"Pagkatapos nakita ko sa video may mga pagsuway sa physical distancing at pangapat pati 'yung mga seniors at saka minors ay lumabas na ng bahay edi another pagsuway na naman yun," he added.
Año said that since San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora is a political rival of the Estrada family, the former senator could have sought the assistance of the Office of the Civil Defense for the distribution of relief goods.
The DILG earlier issued a directive instructing groups and individuals planning to conduct relief distribution to coordinate first with the LGU for the issuance of permit to ensure peace and order during the activity.
Año said he issued the directive after they found that some groups were involved in illegal activities in the guise of relief operations.
"Kasi napatunayan natin na may mga grupo na nagsasamantala na kunyari ay magdidistribute ng goods, yun pala magcoconduct ng rally o kaya nininegosyo lang nila," he said.
Estrada was invited to the San Juan City police station while conducting relief operations on Sunday afternoon.
He was later released with no charges filed, but was issued a "stern warning" to comply with the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) guidelines.
Estrada has expressed belief that his arrest was politically motivated.
Zamora earlier denied having a hand in Estrada's arrest, saying that it was just a normal law enforcement. (VoxPop Philippines)