Jinggoy wants to join canvassing of votes

MANILA, Philippines – Although detained on plunder charges, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has asked the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to allow him to join the canvassing of votes for president and vice president in this year’s polls.

In an urgent motion, Estrada, through his lawyers, said being a senator he still wants to participate in the canvassing of votes this May.

“Sen. Estrada respectfully requests that this honorable court allow him to discharge his functions as senator under such terms and conditions as the honorable court may deem appropriate,” the motion read.

The counsels assured the court that the legislator “does not seek temporary liberty from his detention but merely that provision be made to allow him to comply with his legal and constitutional duties and perform his function as a public servant.

“Senator Estrada has no intention of shirking from his duty as a senator and his constitutional mandate with respect to the impending election of president and vice president of the Republic of the Philippines,” the motion read.

“It is important to note that Senator Estrada, while under detention upon finding of probable cause, has not been convicted and, until the conclusion of the case, is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” it added.

Estrada, who has been charged with plunder and 11 counts of graft in connection with the pork barrel scam, is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame.