Conjugal visits to pose problem if Estrada is jailed

The expected detention of deposed President Joseph Estrada will pose a big problem when the time comes for a conjugal visit.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said that Estrada is entitled to conjugal visits, just like other married detainees.

He, however, said Estrada might not be entitled to a conjugal visit should he be kept in the same cell with his wife, Loi Ejercito Estrada, who is his co-accused in a graft case for allegedly receiving P20 million in jueteng protection money.

"It is up to Erap if he wants to share the same cell with his wife," he added.

If Estrada does not want to share a detention cell with his wife, then he will be entitled to conjugal visits. The question that crops up then is, will Doctor Loi, the legal wife, be the only one entitled to the visit? Or, will his five girlfriends be entitled to the privilege?

If all six will be entitled to conjugal visits, then that leaves Estrada, a known womanizer, a day’s rest. There is the prison policy question, however, if girlfriends could qualify for conjugal visits.

A senator who requested anonymity said that Estrada, once detained, should not be entitled to any conjugal visit by his girlfriends.

"Limit the conjugal visit of Erap to his legal wife! That, in itself, already constitutes a serious punishment," the senator said.

Former Sen. Rene Saguisag, one of Estrada’s lawyers, said his client was in a quandary even if he would be placed under house arrest.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, who is running for Quezon City mayor, and senatorial candidate Francisco "Kiko" Pangilinan have both suggested that Estrada be placed under house arrest.

"Yesterday, he (Estrada) wanted to know that assuming Kiko and Sonny B’s suggestion that he be out on house arrest is implemented, could he get to pick which house?" Saguisag said, as he complained that Estrada’s questions were "becoming harder and harder."

He added, however, that Estrada was joking only on the choice of house.

In a related development, Biazon said questions of security and civil unrest could be adequately addressed if Estrada is detained during his trial either at Camp Aguinaldo or Camp Crame and not in a regular jail.

"With threats of instability, including revolution aired if Erap is arrested, security during his detention becomes a major factor," Biazon said.

He added that Estrada’s former position should be enough reason against detaining him in an ordinary prison cell with common criminals.

He said that since there is no provision in the penal code for house arrest, the next best thing should be to detain him in either Aguinaldo or Crame.

"The Josons of Nueva Ecija and Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez were detained in Crame during their trial. Alex Noble, Domingo Calajate, Abenina and Blando were detained in Aguinaldo. I see no reason why Erap could not be detained there also," Biazon said.

He also called for the grant of special accommodations to Estrada during the latter’s trial.

He pointed out that the detained putschists had their individual cells, own beds and even own comfort rooms.

"Even Satur Ocampo, Rafael Baylosis and Rolly Kintanar were given special accommodations at Camp Bagong Diwa," Biazon added.

He said that Estrada could even be allowed to keep a cellphone during detention.

"If a convicted criminal is allowed to keep a cellphone, why not a former president still on trial?" he asked.

He stressed, however, that the special accommodation should end the moment there is conviction.