Pimentel calls on Palace, Sandigan to grant Erap house arrest

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. has called on Malacañang and the Sandiganbayan to grant ousted President Joseph Estrada’s request to be placed under house arrest while his plunder case is being tried.

Pimentel said that there is a precedent in the case of former governor Nur Misuari of the Autnomous Regions in Muslim Mindanao, who was allowed by the Makati City regional trial court to be put under house arrest while his rebellion case is being heard.

"If the court granted the request of Chairman Misuari to be placed under house arrest, why not extend the same privilege to Mr. Estrada?" he asked.

Pimentel welcomed the decision of Makati Judge Sixto Marella Jr. to allow Misuari and his co-accused Abuharis Usman to stay at a house in New Manila, Quezon City.

Misuari, also former chairman of the secessionist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Usman have been allowed by Marella to stay on No. 27 6th Street, New Manila after being confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center also in Quezon City since Jan. 28 following a court order granting them medical furlough.

Pimentel said he believes Malacañang had a hand in the court’s decision in the case of Misuari and Usman as part of the government’s concessions to placate the MNLF and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The Philippines has been bidding for observer status in the OIC, and one of the main issues being looked at by the organization is the implementation of the 1996 peace pact between the government and the MNLF.

Pimentel said that the Sandiganbayan should seriously consider the request of Estrada to be placed under house arrest for the purpose of consistency since he has not been allowed to post bail.

Estrada has been asking to be detained in his residence in North Greenhills, San Juan while his trial is going on to facilitate his consultations with his lawyers.

Pimentel said he sees no cogent reason for denying Estrada’s request, particularly now that Misuari’s case has set a precedent.

Malacañang through the presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor previously indicated that it is open to allow Estrada’s release on recognizance for humanitarian reasons.