Sandigan finally allows Roces, showbiz figures to visit Erap

Actress Susan Roces and other showbiz personalities were finally allowed by the Sandiganbayan yesterday to visit ousted President Joseph Estrada at his rest house in Tanay, Rizal.

The justices in the special division hearing on Estrada’s plunder case changed their opinion after the Philippine National Police (PNP) raised no objection to Estrada’s motion for reconsideration.

In the motion for reconsideration, former senator Rene Saguisag, Estrada’s lead counsel, asked the anti-graft court to "save the event" since the invitations had already been sent out.

"With all due respect, it is hard to believe that for all its manpower trained to deal even with violent crimes, the PNP admits to gross ineptitude," he said.

"How many fans will go to Tanay, with the place of detention just across a military camp?" Saguisag asked.

On the other hand, PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao said there are now "sufficient" policemen that can be sent to Tanay to secure Estrada and his guests.

"The PNP shall see to it that Estrada and his guests strictly comply with the existing security arrangements consistent with the conditions imposed by the court," he said.

Last Monday, the special division denied the request of Roces and comedian Dolphy to visit Estrada after the PNP objected on grounds of security. Estrada is under house arrest and on trial for plunder.

Lomibao told the court the PNP could "ill-afford" to deploy more policemen to Estrada’s country estate because their resources were focused on the "heightened anti-terrorist campaign."

Justices Francisco Villaruz, Diosdado Peralta and Rodolfo Ponferrada ruled that they were bound to "believe" the position of Lomibao that more guests would require additional police security.

However, government prosecutors now say they are amenable to the request of Roces on condition that the PNP can assure the security of Estrada.

"Miss Susan Roces et al can visit the former president (in Tanay) provided the Philippine National Police can secure the safety and security of Estrada," Deputy Special Prosecutor Robert Kallos told the special division.

Estrada will celebrate his 68th birthday on April 19.

On order of the Sandiganbayan, he has been confined to his rest house, just across Camp Capinpin where he was previously detained in a spartan bungalow surrounded by barbed wire.