Sandiganbayan denies Jinggoy's plea for Christmas furlough

MANILA, Philippines - Detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada will celebrate Christmas and New Year's Day in his cell at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

This after Sandiganbayan on Friday denied Estrada's request for a reprieve from December 25, Christmas Day, and January 1, New Year.

In a resolution, the anti-graft court's Fifth Division, chaired by Associate Justice Roland Jurado, ruled that granting Estrada's request for Holiday furlough will only set a bad precedent.

"To allow the accused-movant to leave his detention cell will not only set a bad precedent, but will likewise be regarded as a mockery of the administration of justice,"the tribunal said.

"Allowing the accused to leave his detention cell on the requested period will entail additional and considerable government expenses to safeguard his security and safety," it added.

The Court cited the same grounds why it did not grant Estrada's plea to visit his departed relatives and friends on All Saint's Day.

Estrada is facing plunder and graft cases in connection with the P10 billion pork barrel scam.