Sandiganbayan junks Jinggoy's furlough

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has denied the request of detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada to be allowed to visit his departed relatives on All Saints' Day.

In a resolution, the anti-graft court's Fifth Division, chaired by Associate Justice Roland Jurado, ruled that granting the five-hour pass to Estrada will set a bad precedent.

The tribunal also maintained that the government will also shoulder the expenses incurred in giving security to Estrada, who will be escorted to and from his detention cell at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center to the cemeteries where his dead are buried.

Estrada asked the Sandiganbayan to be allowed to visit his departed relatives at the San Juan City cemetery and the Heritage Park in Taguig City, where his late friend and actor Rudy Fernandez is buried.

However, government prosecutors opposed the senator's request, arguing that granting the Estrada's plea will be perceived as special treatment to him.

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

The senator, meanwhile, said that he respect's the decision of the anti-graft court.

"That’s their decision, I respect that,” Estrada said in a statement from his detention cell at the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame. “I have to obey the decision,” he added.

Estrada said he will just pray for his departed loved ones inside his detention cell.

“The cemetery is just five minutes away, I wasn’t allowed,” he lamented. - with Christina Mendez