Doctor says Erap fast recovering

Deposed President Joseph Estrada is making a speedy recovery from a knee operation he had in December, his doctor announced yesterday.

After daily one-hour exercises, Estrada is now fit to walk and may even swim, American knee specialist Christopher Mow told a press conference.

Mow flew in from Hong Kong to check in on his patient. He said Estrada has lost 40 pounds since the surgery and diligently exercises for an hour every day as part of his therapy, which includes brisk walking and riding a stationary bicycle.

"He now eats a lot of fish, vegetables and less red meat. He is on his way to full recovery," Mow said. "Except for running or jogging, the former president can practically do his daily chores without knee pains."

Physical therapists see Estrada every day to ensure he exercises, Mow said.

It would be ideal for Estrada’s recovery if he were near a good hospital, Mow said. But he did not say if this was necessary.

Estrada’s defense lawyers early this year sought a house arrest for Estrada so he could be near a hospital during his recovery but the Sandiganbayan, which is trying his plunder case, rejected the petition.

Estrada is detained at his sprawling 18-hectare estate in Tanay, Rizal.

In December, the anti-graft court allowed Estrada to leave for Hong Kong to undergo surgery after he posted a P1-million travel bond and formally pledged to return home.

Prosecutors opposed his Hong Kong trip, warning Estrada might seek asylum or abscond, citing that the Philippines does not have an extradition treaty with China. Estrada was escorted by four police officers.

Estrada’s doctors said he suffered torn ligaments in both knees, osteoarthritis in his left knee and multiple slipped discs pressing against his spinal cord. They said he could be paralyzed if his knee continued to deteriorate. Estrada left for Hong Kong on Dec. 27.

Estrada is on trial on corruption charges following his ouster amid massive anti-corruption protests in 2001. The Sandiganbayan also recently rejected his petition for bail.

Prosecutors alleged that while in office, Estrada amassed about P4 billion in illegal gambling payoffs, tax kickbacks and commissions stashed in secret bank accounts.

Estrada denies the charges. He maintains he was illegally ousted and has immunity from suits.

Meanwhile, lead Estrada lawyer Rene Saguisag has asked the Sandiganbayan to reconsider its ruling on Estrada’s bail petition, insisting that his client would not flee from justice.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza believes Estrada should be granted bail to defuse the escalating political squabble between the Arroyo administration and Estrada’s camp.

"For as long as former President Estrada is deprived of his freedom and liberty, a huge segment of society will always feel the pain of his fate. It is like an open wound that refuses to heal," Atienza said in a statement.

The opposition accuses Mrs. Arroyo of robbing their candidate, the late Fernando Poe Jr., of victory in last year’s presidential election.

Poe was a long-time friend of Estrada. He lodged an election protest against Mrs. Arroyo but it was junked by the Supreme Court shortly after he died of a stroke in December. -— With Evelyn Macairan