"A miracle" is how the ousted leader describes the healing of his arthritic knee after a spiritual bath at the Mother Ignacia Healing Center in Caloocan City last week.
Not even the Sandiganbayan’s rejection of his Christmas furlough could dispel Estrada’s elation over his cure. He said it was the fulfillment of his wish this Christmas.
"(I’ve been cured) not only physically but also spiritually. What happened to me is like a miracle," Estrada said. "I no longer even take my painkillers since I took that spiritual bath."
An elated Estrada broke the news to The STAR yesterday, claiming he is now able to do 30-minute stationary biking daily in his hospital detention ward.
The 65-year old former chief executive used to take steroid treatment to ease the pain on both his knees whenever he takes long walks or stands too long.
He became a devotee after being introduced to Sister Gloria Ross and Sister Rosita of the Mother Ignacia Healing Center who visited him at his hospital ward at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) last October.
After the Sandiganbayan allowed him to undergo spiritual bathing and pray-over last week, Estrada said it was ironic that another Gloria, the nun having the namesake of President Arroyo, gave him a fresh start.
"Would you believe by miracle or coincidence perhaps, her name is Sister Gloria," Estrada said.
Estrada earlier sought from the anti-graft court permission to allow him to undergo spiritual healing with Sister Gloria despite stiff objections by the prosecution.
After the spiritual healing, Estrada told The STAR he does not see the need for him to undergo knee surgery in the US even as his court-appointed defense lawyers are trying to convince the anti-graft court to allow the deposed leader to undergo medical treatment abroad.
Estrada’s American orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Christopher Mow, has expressed willingness to undertake the knee surgery even at local hospitals here.
Mow, however, wanted to secure a "diplomatic immunity from the judicial system of the Philippines" on fears that the Ombudsman will force him to testify on the plunder trial of Estrada before the Sandiganbayan.
The demand apparently turned off Estrada, prompting him to surrender his fate to Sister Gloria’s miraculous healing process.
"I felt better after the almost two hours of the pray over I had with her," Estrada said.
While feeling rejuvenated from the "miracle," Estrada said he is "still feeling the blues" when the anti-graft court did not grant him Christmas furlough, despite the popular endorsements made by political and civic leaders.
"Masyadong silang malupit. Sana man lang pinagbigyan nila si Jinggoy (his son and former San Juan mayor) at Ed (Eduardo) Serapio (The court has been too harsh. They could have allowed even my son and my co-accused Serapio to have a break to rejoin their families this Christmas)," Estrada said.
Asked about his Christmas wish, Estrada told The STAR that he personally wished Mrs. Arroyo would forgo her decision to run in the 2004 presidential elections and instead focus on resolving the country’s problems.
"For myself, I wish they (Sandiganbayan) could fast-track the case because I know I will be vindicated," he added.
Estrada went on to deliver his two-page Christmas message for the country.
"I’m not losing hope that things will still change for us and the Filipinos will be able to recover from the present crisis that besets our nation," he said.
Estrada said he is getting stronger from the letters of encouragement he is receiving everyday.
"I know that poverty will continue to be with us. It is hurting me, as your duly elected president, that I cannot be with you during Christmas and I could not even extend any help to all of you personally," Estrada said.
"I hope that the true essence of Christmas would give Filipinos comfort in life and ease the burden of our poor countrymen," he added. – Marichu Villanueva, Jose Rodel Clapano