Estrada wants to visit ailing mom

Ousted President Joseph Estrada now wants to visit his 98-year-old mother in her home in North Greenhills, San Juan.

Noel Malaya, one of Estrada’s court-appointed lawyers, said Doña Mary Marcelo-Ejercito, who is "often sick," has been asking that her son visit her once a week.

"In a society that would be compassionate, if the situation of one or few is ameliorated, the response should be not to criticize, but to expand, such treatment," he said.

"President Estrada seeks humanitarian treatment for all, which we should try to with every inmate."

Malaya said Estrada has repeatedly assured the court that he would not evade prosecution if allowed to visit his mother. "There is absolutely no risk of flight, which can only sully the family name forever," he said. "He cannot escape if he wants to, and he does not want to. He is too prominent, too recognizable, too unwell, and too committed to affirm and establish his innocence, to think of flight."

Malaya also followed up his motion for the special division to allow Estrada a weekly therapy with Dr. Tyrone Reyes at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan.

He also asked the anti-graft court to place under its jurisdiction Estrada’s 15-hectare rest house in Tanay, Rizal just across Camp Capinpin, so Estrada could be detained there.

"The arrangement can save the government expenses as Estrada will shoulder the expenses at his detention in his property," he said.

"Nothing in our law prohibits the move. In a democracy, what is not prohibited is allowed. (Former Indonesian President) Suharto for one was allowed ‘city arrest,’ even if Indonesia is not noted for democracy."

Malaya said presidents and other leaders are treated as a class by themselves, who are either put under house arrest or allowed to go on exile.