Jinggoy wants to attend ma’s birthday dinner

MANILA, Philippines - Detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is asking the Sandiganbayan to let him attend the 86th birthday celebration of his mother, former senator Loi Ejercito, next week.

In a motion filed before the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division yesterday, he requested a four-hour furlough that would allow him to have dinner with his mother in Mandaluyong City from 8 p.m. to midnight on June 4 .

Estrada remains detained at the Philippine National Police custodial center in Camp Crame on plunder charges arising from the pork barrel fund scam.

His lawyer, Jose Flaminiano, said “the Estrada family have been always together on this special occasion except last year, when accused was not allowed by the court.”