(Eagle News) — The Sandiganbayan has allowed detained former Senator Jinggoy Estrada to attend his father’s birthday celebration on April 19.
In a two-page decision, the fifth division said it was granting the former senator’s March 28 motion “in recognition of deeply embedded Filipino customs and traditions, covering respect and regard to parents and the elderly.”
It noted that Estrada “appears to have complied with all the conditions of his detention and no serious adverse reports have reached the court concerning his detention for the last two years and nine months.”
“As prayed for, accused…is hereby authorized to attend the 80th birthday of his father at the Manila Hotel on April 19, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., exclusive of travel period,” the division chaired by Associate Justice Rafael Lagos said.
The fifth division’s members are Associate Justices Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega and Reynaldo Cruz.
The former senator’s father is Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
According to the Sandiganbayan, the younger Estrada “shall be transported to the Manila Hotel, and to no other place..not earlier than one hour before the appointed time.”
It said he shall leave for his detention cell in Camp Crame “not later than 11 p.m.”
“The use of any means of communication and electronic gadgets (phones, cell phones, Internet, etc) by the accused and those who will accompany him shall be under the control and supervision of the detailed (Philippine National Police) security,” it added.
It said media interviews were also not allowed.
All expenses incurred by the PNP relating to the security measures implemented outside Camp Crame shall be shouldered by the former senator, it added.
The younger Estrada is detained in connection with the pork barrel scam that saw millions of pork barrel funds diverted to bogus nongovernment organizations.
The scheme was purportedly initiated by Janet Lim Napoles, who is serving time after she was convicted of illegally detaining her relative and “business” rival, Benhur Luy.
