Erap may seek asylum in Switzerland, prosecutors say

State prosecutors fear former President Joseph Estrada may seek political asylum in Switzerland if the Sandiganbayan grants him a furlough to seek medical treatment there.

"Switzerland is not noted for conducting (surgical) operations but its chocolates and banking system," said Chief State Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio.

"We suspect that Estrada might ask for political asylum once he is there. European nations are accommodating to political asylum seekers, like what Jose Maria Sison got from the Netherlands," Villa Ignacio said, referring to the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been waging a decades-long rebellion.

Although Sison is considered a terrorist by the United States and the European Union, the Philippines has been having difficulty extraditing him to face justice.

Villa Ignacio also pointed out that the Philippines has no extradition treaty with Switzerland. "He (Estrada) would be more of a flight risk if he is allowed," he said.

Estrada’s doctors say he is suffering from torn ligaments in both knees, arthritis in the pelvic region, a cataract and a cyst in his left eye and multiple slipped discs pressing against his spinal cord.

They said his back could deteriorate and become paralyzed if his knee condition does not improve.

Prosecutors have opposed Estrada’s request to leave the country for medical treatment, fearing he might abscond.

Villa Ignacio suggested that Estrada’s American doctor, Christopher Mow, do the surgery here.

"I learned that Dr. Mow would be conducting the operation there in Switzerland. Why not do it here?" he asked.

The Sandiganbayan in December granted Estrada a 90-day furlough so he could have surgery in the United States for an ailing left knee.

Estrada instead decided to stay in the country, claiming he could not afford the medical costs and that he wanted to help in the presidential bid of long-time friend Fernando Poe Jr.

Villa Ignacio doubted that Estrada would be allowed to leave this time, saying Estrada has no basis. Estrada’s decision not to leave for the United States earlier this year proved there was no urgency, he said.

State prosecutors suspect Estrada wants to leave because the defense is scheduled to make its case on Aug. 16 and Estrada has no evidence to refute the massive corruption charges against him.

The former actor was toppled by a popular protest in January 2001 following his aborted impeachment trial on massive corruption charges.

Estrada is currently on trial for plunder, a capital offense punishable by life imprisonment or death by lethal injection.

He is accused of amassing millions of pesos from an illegal gambling protection racket and plundering government coffers during his aborted 31-month presidency.

The prosecution rested its case in April last year and the defense was originally scheduled to present its side in June. However, an Estrada motion that sought a dismissal of the charges against him delayed the trial. His motion was rejected.

Estrada argues the Supreme Court erred when it swore in then Vice President Arroyo to replace him after declaring the presidency vacant during the 2001 uprising against him.

He refuses to recognize the Sandiganbayan’s authority, maintaining he was illegally ousted from the presidency and that he still enjoys parliamentary immunity.