Jinggoy throws birthday party at Senate

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Jinggoy Estrada held a luncheon party at the Senate in celebration of his 51st birthday on Monday amid the backdrop of doubt over the alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Senate minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. were among the well-wishers at the office of Estrada, who prepared a luncheon party for his guests.
Also present were Jinggoy’s wife, Precy; their daughter, Janella, close friends and some supporters.

Enrile, who also celebrated his 90th birthday on Valentine’s Day, hopes that Estrada-- who is about four decades younger -- will eventually become president of the country despite the serious allegations by critics.

“[I hope he will be able to] overcome all the challenges before him and become a president of the country. That is my wish for him. That is the dream of every politician,” Enrile said.

Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada arrived past 1 p.m. and joined Revilla and Enrile at a center table. 

This prompted Sen. Jinggoy to joke about the circumstances:  “Now, the three of us are complete here (in the table),” referring to the three of them who are facing plunder complaint before the Ombudsman.

Estrada was less serious in his birthday wish for his son. “Sana dumating ang araw na gumandang lalaki siya kesa sa kin.”

‘Truth will set me free’

Prior to this, Estrada admitted that he and his family have been adversely affected by the controversy. Of course, my family is deeply affected. Pero ako, walang problema sa akin. At the end of the day, the truth will set me free,” Jinggoy said.

When sought for his birthday wish, Estrada said he is hoping that he will be exonerated of all the unwarranted charges against him. He said he wanted his name cleared of any wrongdoing and that “they would stop persecution against me and my colleagues.”

Mayor Estrada said he is used to being subjected to trial by publicty.

“I hope they will overcome it. What they did to me, they have apologized for what they did to me. Even former President Aquino apologized publicly and  even Bishop Tobias apologized in behalf of the Church,” the former president said.

He added: “When I was incarcerated, that’s the time when my son, Jinggoy, was elected as senator. Even my wife Dra. Loi won [seats at] the Senate when I was incarcerated. That means the Filipino people doesn’t believe the charges.'

Sen. Juan Victor Ejercito expressed hope that his step-brother will surpass the latest challenge in his political career.

“Sana malampasan niya ito and he continue praying,”  Ejercito said.

Ejercito went to Jinggoy’s office at the 6th floor where he joined the birthday celebration.

Enrile and Estrada were also greeted by their colleagues during plenary session as part of tradition. Estrada was however unable to keep quiet on the way Sen. Teofisto Guingona III “prejudged” him and Enrile when socialite Ruby Tuason testified at the Blue Ribbon hearing last Thursday.

Estrada took offense when Guingona, who was chairman of the Blue Ribbon committee, declared in public that Tuason’s testimony was a buzzer-beater, three-point and winning shot, placing the three implicated senators in the “guilty” category.