Estrada scored on plea for three-day leave

Plunder Watch, an independent watchdog, said ousted President Joseph Estrada is going "overboard" in asking the Sandiganbayan to grant him a three-day leave for a cataract-extraction surgery.

Citing statements by the Code Red for Good Governance and Health Alliance for Democracy, Plunder Watch said cataract extraction has become a regular out-patient operation in the Philippine General Hospital and other government hospitals and lasts from just 30 minutes to one hour.

"Cataract extraction needs no hospitalization. Ask Nanay Mameng who recently had the same surgery. She was up and alert in no time," said Dr. Jojo Carabeo, convenor of Plunder Watch.

Nanay Mameng, whom he was referring to, heads the urban poor group Kalipunan ng mga Damayang Mahihirap.

"It is obvious that the Estrada camp is only utilizing the ousted president’s unhealthy condition brought about by his flamboyant lifestyle just to delay the plunder trial," Carabeo said.

Carabeo said the three-day leave which Mr. Estrada is asking should be rejected.

"Mr. Estrada would do the nation a favor by having the cataract-extraction operation on any day when he is not supposed to attend the Sandiganbayan trials," he said.

The anti-graft court, however, has already allowed Mr. Estrada not to appear during the hearings. — Romel Bagares