Jinggoy seeks furlough to pack up at Senate

MANILA, Philippines – With his term ending on June 30, detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada wants to return to the Senate for the last time.

Estrada asked the Sandiganbayan yesterday to allow him to attend the Senate’s last session days so that he can “sort out” his office and personal property.

Estrada urged the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division to grant him a four-day furlough from May 30 to June 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Estrada, who is on trial for plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam, is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

He said there were personal belongings, equipment and documents that need to be removed from his Senate office.

Estrada said the furlough was also for the purpose of “winding up his affairs at the Senate” where he served as a legislator for 12 years.