Gov’t opposes Erap request to hold JV’s wedding in Tanay

The government opposed before the Sandiganbayan yesterday the request of ousted President Joseph Estrada to have the wedding and reception of his son, San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito, at his resthouse in Tanay, Rizal.

Instead, Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio proposed that the event be held in another venue outside of Estrada’s place of detention.

"While the solemnization of marriage is every parent’s dream for his child and something to look forward to in every single individual’s life, the intended wedding celebration is complicated by his father’s detention in said place…" he said.

He said Estrada, had, in the past, "taken advantage of situations where he was given opportunity to meet several friends and political allies and he submitted to media interviews which likewise dwelt on the merits of his case."

"Consequently, to avoid similar problems, it is more prudent and proper that the aforementioned wedding be celebrated in a place other than the detention area of the accused," Villa-Ignacio said.

The prosecution said it is opposing Estrada’s request because of a possible security problem arrangement by the Philippine National Police since 200 guests will be attending the wedding.

Interviews by reporters during the event could also be given political implications, the prosecution added.

Mayor Ejercito, Estrada’s son by former actress Guia Gomez, is scheduled to marry Cindy Lotuaco at 3 p.m. on Feb. 3, 2007. The reception is expected to last until 10 p.m.

Defense lawyer Jose Alberto Flaminiano told the court that its permission was asked months ahead of the wedding date to finalize the plans and the printing of the wedding invitations.

Meanwhile, the family of action star Fernando Poe Jr. celebrated his second death anniversary yesterday without fanfare.

"The commemoration of FPJ’s second death anniversary like last year was simple and meaningful… very much like FPJ when he was still alive," House minority leader and Sorsogon Rep. Francis Escudero said in a phone interview.

Escudero said Poe’s family, relatives and friends attended the Mass at the North Cemetery in La Loma, Quezon City, where FPJ was laid to rest.

Some food was served there by his widow , Susan Roces, he added.

Escudero said about 300 people, including Poe’s close friends like Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco, joined Roces and her family in a late lunch at a restaurant in Quezon City. — With Helen Flores