Security assured on Erap furlough

The Philippine National Police (PNP) raised no objections yesterday to the request of former President Joseph Estrada for court permission to attend his mother’s 100th birthday celebrations on Monday.

Chief Superintendent Edgardo Doromal told the Sandiganbayan hearing on Estrada’s request that the necessary security will be provided and there will be "no side trips" for Estrada.

Estrada will be brought straight to Manila Hotel, where the clan will celebrate Mary Marcelo-Ejercito’s 100th birthday in the afternoon, then be brought back to his Tanay, Rizal rest house by 11 p.m. where he is under detention.

State prosecutors earlier raised no objections provided that the PNP detailed the necessary security and Estrada does not deviate from his furlough conditions.

Estrada lawyer Rene Saguisag asked the anti-graft court to allow Estrada to visit his mother for humanitarian reasons and gave assurances that his client would be "subject to the usual security conditions."

"For anyone alive among Doña Mary’s children, not to be able to be with her on that day can only sadden her and no one is entitled to spoil that special day for her, if it can be avoided. And it can be avoided, and we trust the world will understand," he told the anti-graft court.

"Our sainted mothers occupy a special place, and one marking her centennial — if favored with attendance of all her living children — everybody and his mother, as it were, will be prepared to understand and entitled to a free pass."

The prosecution has opposed Estrada’s requests for furloughs in the past, arguing that he is in effect receiving special treatment even though the plunder charges he faces are non-bailable.

A former movie star, Estrada won a landslide victory in the 1998 elections largely due to his popularity with the poor, who make up over half of the country’s population.

He was ousted in 2001 by a military-backed popular uprising following accusations of massive corruption and was replaced by then vice president Gloria Arroyo.

He is currently on trial before the Sandiganbayan on charges that he amassed up to P4 billion from an illegal gambling protection racket that he ran during his 31-month presidency. He also allegedly pocketed state funds intended for tobacco farmers.