Behind bars, Erap, Jinggoy find new preoccupation

San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, jailed along with his father ousted President Joseph Estrada on charges of plunder, said yesterday they have turned to a new preoccupation: prayer.
"We are leaving our fate to God and the people," Jinggoy said.

Jinggoy was interviewed Friday night while he and his father were detained at the former headquarters of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) at Camp Crame. They were flown by helicopter yesterday to the Philippine Veterans Hospital in Quezon City for an executive check-up.

He said he had no complaints about conditions in their Camp Crame quarters.

"Wala naman kaming problema sa pagkain, sa tulugan. Wala kaming problema (We have no problems with food, or our sleeping quarters. No problems at all)," he stressed.

But the younger Estrada was obviously buoyed by reports of the crowd that had gathered at the Our Lady of EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City to press for their release.

He said the Arroyo administration is "feeling the heat" because of the because of the throng at EDSA.

"They are afraid because the power of the masses is evident on EDSA and they are afraid to be booted from power," Jinggoy said in an interview over mobile phone.

He hit back at re-electionist Sen. Franklin Drilon for allegedly belittling their supporters at EDSA.

Jinggoy also said his father has advised the candidates of the opposition Puwersa ng Masa to remain strong and to continue fighting for the truth and the Constitution.

"Nagpapasalamt po kami sa milyon-milyon na sumuporta sa amin. Nagpapasalamat din kami sa kanila sa patuloy na paglalaban para sa katotohanan at sa patuloy na paniniwala sa Konstitusyon (We are grateful to the millions who support us. We are grateful for their continued fight for the truth and the Constitution)," Jinggoy said.