This time, Jinggoy wants to go to US

Senator-elect Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada asked the Sandiganbayan yesterday to allow him to fly to the United States to speak before the Filipino community in California on June 12.

The son of ousted President Joseph Estrada said he has been invited to keynote the 106th Philippine Independence Day celebrations at the Civic Center in front of San Francisco City Hall.

Dubbed "Fiesta Filipina," the event is slated to be the largest celebration in North America of Philippine Independence Day.

Retired Manila fiscal Jose Flaminiano, one of the Estradas’ court-appointed lawyers, assured the anti-graft court’s special division that Estrada will immediately return to the country after his speaking engagement.

"There is no fear about Senator Estrada not returning to the country," he said.

In opposing Jinggoy’s request, Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio said the government has a pending petition before the Supreme Court to cancel the P500,000 bail of the former San Juan mayor.

"There’s a pending petition," he said. "If the SC will rule in our favor, would you think Jinggoy would return and go back to jail?"

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Minita Chico-Nazario and Justices Edilberto Sandoval and Teresita Leonardo-de Castro gave government prosecutors until noon today to oppose the motion.

The defense was allowed up to 5 p.m. today to file its reply.

The special division has twice denied Jinggoy’s request to go to the US.

Jinggoy was granted bail in March last year.

Last Sunday, Jinggoy held a victory party at his family’s resthouse in Tanay, Rizal — across his father’s place of detention at Camp Capinpin.

Estrada attended the celebration, along with Rizal Gov. Ito Ynares and other guests.

Rizal police commander Senior Superintendent Leocadio Santiago said Estrada was in a "happy" mood during a get-together with his guests, including local politicians and his relatives.

There were no major hitches to Estrada’s visit to his vast and private resthouse, he added.

Policemen from Rizal and Camp Crame were reinforced by Army troops from the 2nd Infantry Division when Estrada was escorted at 8 a.m. to his resthouse.

The Sandiganbayan had ordered that Estrada would be returned to Camp Capinpin at 8 p.m.

Estrada and Jinggoy are facing plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan.

Estrada’s guest list included his other son, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, retired police general Roberto Calinisan, former agrarian reform secretary Horacio Morales, businessman Tony Lopa, Cherry Sevilla, lawyers Romy Rojas, Ed Serrano and Bong Salud, and Catholic priests Sonny Ramirez and Peter Lapid.

Other guests at Jinggoy’s thanksgiving Mass were: Oscar Evangelista, Johnny Ng, William Gatchalian, Beaver Lopez, Francisco Tatad, a Mr. and Mrs. Ampil, Rudy Ledesma, Senator-elect Juan Ponce Enrile, Tony Evangelista, a Mr. Vigilar, Bobby Yan, Sen. Teresa Aquino-Oreta, Malaya publisher Amado Macasaet, actor Rudy Fernandez and outgoing Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen.