Erap allowed to visit ailing Mom

The Sandiganbayan Special Division yesterday granted the urgent motion filed by the lawyers of former President Joseph Estrada to allow him to visit his ailing mother, Mary Ejercito, at the San Juan Medical Center in San Juan City.

In a two-page order, the anti-graft court allowed Estrada to visit his mother today, but not on Sunday.

The Sandiganbayan said Estrada shall be escorted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) from Tanay, Rizal at 7:00 a.m. of Sept. 29, directly to the San Juan Medical Center, where he will stay until 5:00 p.m. the same day.

Immediately thereafter, Estrada will be returned to his place of detention in Tanay.

Director General Oscar Calderon, chief of the PNP, and Police Chief Superintendent Romeo Hilomen, director of the Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO), in coordination with Sandiganbayan Sheriff Edgardo Urieta, were ordered to ensure that Estrada will not go to any place other than that mentioned.

They were also ordered to ensure that the usual adequate safety and security measures in all movements and disposition of the former president are taken as well.

Aside from the order, they were also directed to ensure that the PNP security shall have control and supervision of all visitors pursuant to existing pertinent laws and regulations.

It was emphasized that the use of any means of communications and electronic devices such as phones, cellular phones, etc. by Estrada and those within the immediate vicinity of the accused while he is at the San Juan Medical Center, shall be under the authority of the detailed PNP security.

It was also specified that media and all other interviews shall be disallowed, except upon order by the Court.

Estrada was convicted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan last Sept. 12 and sentenced to lifetime imprisonment. The same court acquitted him of perjury.

His case is under appeal before the anti-graft court.

Lawyers of Estrada said that if the Motion for Reconsideration (MR) filed before the anti-graft court is denied, they will elevate the case to the Supreme Court.

Estrada had said he will first exhaust all legal remedies before accepting any offer of pardon.

Estrada had called for a grant of “absolute pardon” and said he will not accept any conditions if pardon is offered.