MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – It is often said that misery needs company and that corrupt officials want to flock together. Such seems to be the case with one Filipino senator who continues to legislate as a member of the Senate despite being in jail.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada is in prison for charges of plunder and 11 counts of graft in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund, more popularly known as pork barrel.

Estrada has called on the Senate Blue Ribbon committee to conduct an inquiry into the alleged anomalous activities at the Bureau of Customs (BOC), particularly efforts to raise P3 billion in campaign funds for the administration party for the elections next year.

He filed Senate Resolution 1306, calling for the probe, after the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) alleged that the BOC was being forced to raise the amount for the Liberal Party’s campaign in 2016.

Resigned Customs chief John Philip Sevilla, however, had denied the allegation.

“There is a need to immediately investigate and address this matter to prevent the public money to be used for a particular person’s or group’s  political agenda,” the resolution read.

Estrada’s critics immediately reacted to the proposed legislation by asking, “What about the public money you pocketed, Mr. Senator?”

The senator, who is the son of former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, mainstains that his proposal shows his continuing commitment to public service and his oath of office as an elected official. (Joseph Estrada was, himself, convicted and imprisoned for corruption during his term as president, but was later pardoned by his successor President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.)

It’s more fun in the Philippines.