‘Estrada playing with justice system’

Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio accused ousted President Joseph Estrada yesterday of "playing with the judiciary" after Estrada’s allies announced that he might not push through with his planned knee surgery in the United States.

"(Erap) has put the court in an awkward situation," he said. "That is how Erap treats the court. He is playing with the court. Why does he have to postpone it if he really needs surgery? It only means that he’s not seriously ill."

Villa Ignacio said Estrada’s actions bolster the government’s position that he does not need to go abroad to undergo surgery as Filipino doctors could perform the same operation here as facilities in local hospitals are adequate.

"He can have his knees done by our doctors," he said. "At the same time he could be or help to his friend (presidential aspirant) Fernando Poe Jr. That would be better. He does not need to go to the US."

Villa Ignacio said he does not believe that Estrada cannot afford the $1.2-million fee of his American doctor, Christopher Mow.

"Even if it costs P1 million, what is P1 million to Erap?," he asked. "He has a senator-wife and a mayor-son. I’m sure they can easily pitch in. The operation isn’t that urgent after all. These second thoughts are all over the newspapers. This can be given judicial notice."

Meanwhile, President Arroyo said she cannot dictate on the US embassy on matters pertaining to individual visa applications, like that of Estrada’s.

"The visa really is the power of a country to give or not to give," she said.

Speaking in Filipino over radio station dzRH, Mrs. Arroyo said she would be happy if the US embassy grants Estrada a visa.

"The personal circumstances and personal comfort or situation of President Estrada, of course, as much as possible, should be given attention for the sake of the many of our countrymen, who see in him their own situation in life as being oppressed."

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the Department of Foreign Affairs can help facilitate Estrada’s US visa application.

"All we can do on official basis is a certification by the DFA," he said. "The DFA has said that they are ready to issue a certification on the basis of the Sandiganbayan decision that permits President Estrada to fly to US for medical treatment."

"So that’s the official participation that the government can have on this particular matter. But the final decision whether he will proceed with his medical leave, is solely President Estrada’s," Bunye said.

The government will help implement the Sandiganbayan decision allowing Estrada to travel to the US for much-needed surgery, unless stopped by a higher court, he added. — With Marichu Villanueva