‘Erap won’t be stressed out during trial’

Ousted President Joseph Estrada will not be "stressed out" when he takes the witness stand at the Sandiganbayan on March 15, Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio said yesterday.

"We want him to be as comfortable as possible inside the courtroom," he said.

"We will not stress him out. If he says he is not feeling well, we will not push it. We just want him to be present inside the courtroom."

Barring hitches, Estrada, who is facing plunder and perjury cases before the Sandiganbayan special division, is set to testify in his own defense on March 15.

The court has set the hearing every Wednesday, starting March 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a break between 12 noon and 2 p.m.

Villa Ignacio earlier told reporters that the prosecution panel will most likely finish Estrada’s cross-examination in just three trial days.

"We are looking forward to have this case terminated," he said. "I am sure even the defense (panel) will be very happy with that."

Meanwhile, Villa-Ignacio said it would be better if Estrada stayed at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) for the duration of his court appearance, rather than traveling back and forth from Rizal during his court days.

Villa-Ignacio was reacting to a comment by Dr. Christopher Mow, Estrada’s bone surgeon, that his patient should be spared the physical stress of traveling from his place of detention in Tanay, Rizal to the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City.

Mow suggested that Estrada be moved to a house in Metro Manila for the duration of his court appearance. Mow did not say Estrada should necessarily stay at a hospital.

Villa-Ignacio argued that the VMMC is a better place for Estrada to stay during his trial.

"His doctor should have recommended that he (Estrada) stay at the VMMC," he said.

"It is a nice place. He will get all the fresh air he needs, have 24-hour access to medical assistance and he could do his walking and even play golf."

Government lawyers also said that they would allow Estrada to take breaks inside the courtroom when he appears to testify.

"He can have all the time to stretch his legs inside the courtroom," Villa Ignacio said. "We do not want the President (Estrada) to be uncomfortable. We will not make it stressful for him."

Mow, who in 2004 led a team of doctors in operating on Estrada’s knees at the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, earlier said this patient was fit to take the witness stand.

"From a medical standpoint, he is physically fit to testify," he said.

Mow however suggested that Estrada be permitted to flex his knees, take breaks and stand and stretch during the trial, preferably every two hours.

"This (long period of sitting down) may cause him some discomfort," he said. "But this is normal for someone who has undergone knee surgery." — Mike Frialde