PMP: Salonga unfair

A spokesman for ousted President Joseph Estrada’s political party branded yesterday as unfair the allegation of former Senate president Jovito Salonga that the Sandiganbayan ruling allowing Estrada to seek medical treatment in the United States has become a joke.

"The derogatory language employed by Mr. Salonga on the Sandiganbayan concretely tends to erode the esteem and regard of the general public on the court," Rufus Rodriguez, Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino spokesman.

"This cannot be countenanced in a civil society governed by the rule of law as administered by an independent judiciary."

Meanwhile, Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio accused yesterday Estrada of planning to "roam Europe as a tourist" in the guise of looking for a doctor to operate on his knees.

"Lokohan na ito, gusto yata ni Erap maging turista, gusto niya mamasyal, gumagawa na siya ng itinerary," he said.

"He doesn’t take the court seriously. Pinaglalaruan na lang niya ang court. We still insist that he doesn’t have to go abroad."

Villa Ignacio said they would go to the Supreme Court once the special division upholds its Dec. 23 decision allowing Estrada to travel to the US.

"For as long as the side of the law is with me, susugod ako, especially now that the public reaction is pronounced and unmistakable," he said.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor is set to file today before the special division a special motion for reconsideration to reverse the controversial decision, he added.

Rodriguez said Estrada has shown his complete respect for the judicial processes despite two offers from the Arroyo administration for him to go on exile several weeks after he was overthrown on Jan. 20, 2001. — Delon Porcalla