Another eye operation for Estrada

Jailed former President Joseph Estrada is set to undergo another eye operation next month, Estrada’s legal counsel Lawyer Cleofe Verzola said yesterday.

Verzola said that Estrada has to undergo another "cataract removal," this time from his right eye, at the Asian Eye Institute at the Phinma Plaza Building, Rockwell Center in Makati City.

Verzola said that they will formally file a request with the Sandiganbayan third division temporarily chaired by Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro anytime this month.

At the same time, Verzola reiterated the defense panel’s call for anti-graft court acting presiding justice Associate Justice Minita Nazario to facilitate the re-raffling of the plunder case and have the case transferred from the third division to another division.

Verzola said the anti-graft court’s Third Division hearing the plunder, illegal use of alias and perjury charges against the former Chief Executive has to order the transfer of the said cases and let another division that has a complete panel of justices handle them. — Jose Rodel Clapano