Jinggoy allowed to leave for US on P100,000 bond

Senator-elect Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada has been allowed by the Sandiganbayan to fly to the United States today to speak before the Filipino community in San Francisco, California on the occasion of the 106th anniversary of Philippine independence.

The anti-graft court’s special division yesterday ordered the 40-year-old former San Juan mayor to post a P100,000 travel cash bond.

Estrada was given permission to stay in California up to Monday, June 14, following his weekend talk.

In allowing Estrada’s travel, Justices Edilberto Sandoval, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, and Ma. Cristina Cortez-Estrada said the evidence against him is not strong that he was granted bail at P500,000.

"It is not only nil but practically non-existent," the justices said in a four-page resolution, referring to the government’s fear that Estrada is a flight risk or that he could avoid prosecution of the plunder charges against him.

The justices said Estrada’s travel to California does not bring with it risks or any concern with regard to national security, public safety or public health.

"The mantle of the presumption of innocence still covers him," the resolution said.

The justices said they also recognize the government’s argument that Estrada’s election as a senator will not affect the criminal case against him, and that the trial will proceed as scheduled.

"In fact, the trial continues," the resolution said.

"We are in full agreement with the prosecution that the fact that he has been elected does not alter the truth that he is still one of the principal accused," it said.

Retired Manila fiscal Jose Flaminiano, one of Estrada’s lawyers, said his client was invited by organizers of Fiesta Filipina, one of the largest Philippine Independence Day celebrations in North America.

Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio has opposed Estrada’s request on grounds that the government has a pending petition before the Supreme Court to cancel his bail.

Estrada was granted bail by the special division in March last year.