Jinggoy seeks court’s nod for Singapore trip

MANILA, Philippines — Recently freed from detention on bail, former senator Jinggoy Estrada has asked the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to allow him to accompany his father for a medical check-up in Singapore.

In a motion filed on Oct. 27, Estrada asked the court’s Fifth Division to allow him to travel to Singapore from Nov. 11 to 20.

Estrada said he intends to accompany his father, former president and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, in his medical examination and “possible surgery” at Singapore Brain-Spine Nerves Center at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

The younger Estrada said his father’s medical trip is in connection with the latter’s complaints of “severe lower back pain” since the first week of September.

Analgesics, physical therapy and steroid injections have had limited success, he said.

The Fifth Division had earlier issued a hold departure order against the younger Estrada, who is on trial for plunder and 11 counts of graft in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel during his term as a senator.