Prosecutors want Estrada back in military hospital

Prosecutors moved yesterday to have deposed President Joseph Estrada sent back to the government-run hospital where he was previously detained, if indeed the ailing former leader is facing the risk of paralysis.

Chief Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio pointed out before the anti-graft court that the jailed former leader really has no plans of leaving the country in order to undergo operation for his arthritic knees.

Prosecutors reiterated their earlier motion to have Estrada returned to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City from his detention at the military Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, where he was transferred last October.

"If indeed there is extreme urgency that he be operated on, then we are reiterating our motion that his confinement should be at the Veterans hospital and not in Camp Capinpin," Villa Ignacio told the Sandiganbayan, which is hearing Estrada’s plunder case.

Medical specialists have said Estrada risks being paralyzed if he does not undergo an operation for his deteriorating knees.

The Sandiganbayan on Dec. 23 allowed Estrada to have his knee surgery in the United States but he must leave the country 10 days after receiving the decision. He was told to come back by the end of March.

During yesterday’s hearing, however, the anti-graft court warned their pre-Christmas ruling may "virtually" be mooted since March 31 is fast approaching with no details of the operation forthcoming from Estrada’s camp.

Presiding Justice Minita Chico-Nazario "suggested" to the defense to "withdraw" their motion seeking more time to prepare for Estrada’s departure as "time is running short." Defense lawyer Manuel Pamaran replied he would let the deadline lapse and make the necessary adjustments.

"The undeniable fact is that Estrada is not that serious (in leaving for surgery abroad). Five months had lapsed (since the defense asked that Estrada have his knee surgery abroad) and they have not yet presented any doctor, hospital and schedule. To think that his wife and sister are doctors," Villa Ignacio argued, referring to the deposed leader’s wife, Sen. Luisa Ejercito and sister Pilarica Ejercito, both of whom are doctors by training.

The prosecutor said it would have been easy for the defense to make arrangements for Estrada’s needs citing his "stature" as a former president.

"(But) he is no longer interested or was never interested at all in leaving the country," Villa Ignacio said, urging the anti-graft court to reverse its travel order.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Robert Kallos criticized Estrada’s lawyers for not working on the schedule of the operation and securing a US visa for their client.

But Pamaran said the prosecution was skirting the issue, and that yesterday’s hearing was about their petition seeking to be given until March 31 to submit Estrada’s travel plans, including the designated hospital, the name of the doctor who will perform the surgery and schedule of the operation.

The anti-graft court summoned Estrada last January after the former leader had said he wanted to defer his trip abroad despite being given the go-ahead by the court.

Estrada said he pondered on having his treatment abroad after the May 10 election so he could campaign for the presidential candidacy of his bosom buddy, Fernando Poe Jr.

Estrada also noted the $1.25-million fee of his American doctor, Christopher Mow, for the knee operation was too steep.

Estrada has also been having difficulties securing a US visa due to a US policy stating that any person facing criminal charges is ineligible for overseas travel.

Accused of graft, Estrada was facing an impeachment case before the Senate when a military-backed uprising forced his ouster from the presidency in January 2001.