Erap allowed hospital visit

The Sandiganbayan Special Division allowed former President Joseph Estrada to visit his ailing 102-year-old mother today and tomorrow as well as attend the oral arguments for his appeal to reconsider his conviction for plunder, which is also scheduled tomorrow.

In its order, the Sandiganbayan allowed Estrada to visit his mother today at the San Juan Medical Center from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. after which he will stay overnight at his residence at No. 1 Polk Street, Greenhills, also in San Juan.

The anti-graft court granted Estrada’s plea to be allowed to stay at his residence after his hospital visit, due to security considerations and limited facilities at the San Juan Medical Center. The former president will appear tomorrow at 9 a.m. before the special division, and after the hearing he may again visit his mother until 5 p.m.

State Prosecutor Robert Kallos posed no objection to Estrada’s requests, and even suggested that the former president may even extend his furlough up to 8 a.m. on Saturday. But the Sandiganbayan ruled out extending Estrada’s temporary freedom, and is also barred from making media interviews. Estrada is under house arrest at his rest house in Tanay, Rizal.

The Philippine National Police is under instructions to strictly implement the Sandiganbayan order.

Mary Ejercito is suffering from pneumonia. Estrada last visited his mother on Oct. 12. His lawyer Alberto Flaminiano wants more hospital visiting privileges for Estrada due to his mother’s critical condition. – Sandy Araneta