Estrada, Jinggoy seek liberty for All Saints’ Day

Former President Joseph Estrada and his son, former San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, asked the Sandiganbayan yesterday to allow them temporary freedom from detention so they can visit the graves of loved ones on All Saints’ Day.

In a four page-motion, the younger Estrada said he wants time to visit the grave of his grandmother and grandfather starting Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. The grave of the ousted president’s father is in Crame Cemetery in San Juan while that of Sen. Loi Ejercito’s mother is in Iba, Zambales.

Jinggoy’s lawyer, Cleofe Verzola, said father and son will be amenable to any reasonable conditions that the anti-graft court may deem proper in the matter of security.

"The respite of three days will not only relieve accused (Jinggoy) of continuous stress at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center but likewise allow him to perform the duties of a caring grandson to his deceased grandparents who loved him so well during their lifetime," Verzola said.

The lawyers said they are hopeful the court will understand "and feel the humanity of such a request."

"From his confinement at the VMMC, the accused is reaching out to the Honorable Court for understanding and sympathy to be allowed to leave his confinement even only for three days," he said.

Father and son have been in detention since April 25 for trial of plunder charges, a non-bailable offense.

The Sandiganbayan recently rejected a request by Senator Ejercito to allow her husband to join her for the anniversary celebration of the Senate.

Five months ago, however, the court allowed the younger Estrada to return to San Juan to wind up his affairs as mayor of the municipality. He was also allowed to leave the VMMC for treatment of a heart ailment at the Makati Medical Center.

In a related development, the prosecution panel in the plunder trial asked the Sandiganbayan yesterday to hold an executive session on Nov. 8 to take the testimony of a key witness suffering from a heart ailment.

Ombudsman Aniano Desierto said former Social Security System (SSS) president Carlos Arellano is suffering from a heart disease which has resulted in two episodes of cardiac arrest.

Arellano, a key government witness in the case involving kickbacks from SSS investments, is scheduled to leave for the US for treatment in a specialized tertiary medical center.

"Mr. Arellano has been advised by his doctor to leave at the soonest possible time, but he has expressed his desire to first be conditionally examined before this court before treatment," Desierto said. "In order not to defeat the ends of justice, the prosecution moves that Mr. Arellano’s testimony be taken on Nov. 8 at 1 in the afternoon."

Government has accused Estrada of receiving millions in kickbacks from two state pension agencies that he allegedly used to acquire stocks in a publicly-listed firm.