Defense mulls bail for Erap

The lawyers of former President Joseph Estrada are planning to file a petition for bail before the Sandiganbayan.

But with a 44 percent trust rating in the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey, Estrada told the STAR yesterday he was doubtful the Sandiganbayan would grant the request.

"Maski nasa loob ako, tumaas ang trust rating ko. Paano pa kung makalabas ako (Even if I am detained, my trust rating went up. How much more if they gave me liberty)?" he asked rhetorically.

While he had not yet given his lawyers the clearance to file the request, Estrada did not sound surprised when told the government would oppose any bond petition.

The plan has already met with opposition from Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo and chief government prosecutor Dennis Villa—Ignacio, who said they have strong evidence to convict Estrada on the plunder charges filed against him.

Estrada believes the grant of bail would be a "political gamble" on the part of the Arroyo administration since he would be given "the chance to go around and talk directly" to his supporters.

But the bond petition, Estrada said, might be his "only option" for a longer respite from being detained at his rest house in Tanay, Rizal. The Sandiganbayan rejected two earlier petitions for him to be transferred to the family residence Polk Street in Greenhills, San Juan.

Estrada sounded less enthusiastic over another survey result that showed 48 percent of respondents thought he was receiving the "right" treatment from the government.

"Inasmuch as I am now able to have sunlight and I can go around my rest house, I think I’m getting that ‘right’ treatment," he quipped. "But they have curtailed my freedom to speak, to air my grievances." — With Delon Porcalla