Jinggoy, Bong: Gloria Arroyo deserves Christmas furlough

MANILA, Philippines - Fellow inmates senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. on Tuesday said former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo deserves to have a Christmas furlough, which came about three years after she was detained for the misuse of funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

"I think she deserves it matagal na sya nakakulong," Estrada said in a statement from Camp Crame where he is detained for plunder charges.

"The magistrates of the first division made a good decision on the furlough. She is very sick; she can hardly move," Estrada noted.

Mrs. Arroyo is allowed to spend Christmas Day with her family at their La Vista residence starting December 23 to 26.

In a statement from his detention cell at Camp Crame, the senator recalled that his father, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, was also allowed Christmas and New Year's furlough when the latter was detained for plunder charges. The elder Estrada was later pardoned by Mrs. Arroyo.

"My father was also given furlough when he was under detention," said the younger Estrada whose own petition to spend time with his family on Christmas Day was denied by the Fifth Division.

"As in my case, I cannot do anything but to follow the Sandiganbayan. I will have to respect the decision," Estrada said.

Revilla said he did not file a motion to go home for the holidays because it might again be hard for him to adjust once he is returned to Camp Crame for his detention.

Besides, Revilla said he has been hoping that furlough be given to Mrs. Arroyo, who has been the senator's partymate at the Lakas NUCD.

"It is nice to see that the 1st division of the Sandiganbayan embraces the true meaning of the season - compassion. I am sure the former president is very glad  to spend Christmas with her family," Revilla said.

"Being the former head of of state and considering her medical condition, she deserves this furlough," Revilla said in a statement.

Revilla and Estrada are detained for plunder charges in relation to the pork barrel fund misuse. Senate minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile is on hospital arrest at the PNP General Hospital, also in Camp Crame.

Estrada and Revilla's staff members said the two senators will be spending their noche buena with their families on the 24th.