Sandigan denies Jinggoy furlough plea

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has denied a request filed by detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to allow him to preside over the oath-taking of his daughter, Janella Ejercito, as vice mayor of San Juan City tonight.

In a two-page resolution issued yesterday, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division said there is no basis to support Estrada’s claim “that it is his duty or obligation as a father” to administer the oath.             

Records show the court had denied Estrada’s previous requests for furlough. Estrada, who is being held at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center, is on trial for plunder and 11 counts of graft in connection with his alleged involvement in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.