Prosecutors won’t oppose Erap visit on mom’s birthday

The government has no objection to ousted President Joseph Estrada’s attending the 100th birthday of his mother at the Manila Hotel on May 2 as long as the Philippine National Police (PNP) can ensure his safety.

Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio told the Sandiganbayan yesterday government prosecutors would not oppose Estrada’s motion to be allowed to leave his house arrest in Rizal and attend a thanksgiving Mass and birthday party for his mother, Mary Marcelo-Ejercito, at the Manila Hotel on May 2.

The Sandiganbayan’s special division has given PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao until tomorrow to comment on Estrada’s motion.

At least 300 policemen would need to be deployed to secure Estrada when he attends his mother’s birthday party, Metro Manila police commander Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said yesterday.

"We will secure him in compliance to the order of the court," he said. "We have not yet received any directive from the Sandiganbayan and Police Security Protection Office."

Former senator Rene Saguisag, Estrada’s lead counsel, has asked the special division to allow his client to be brought from his place of detention in Tanay, Rizal to the Manila Hotel and to stay there from 4 to 11 p.m.

"For anyone alive among Doña Mary’s children, not to be able to be with her on that day can only sadden her and no one is entitled to spoil that special day for her if it can be avoided," he said.

Apart from Estrada, other surviving children of Ejercito are Pilarica, Paulina, Pat, Antonio, Marita and Jesse.

Meanwhile, at Estrada’s plunder trial yesterday, Villa Ignacio accused defense witness Malou Floreindo of "acquiring property beyond her means" because she was "closely associated" with Estrada.

Retired Manila fiscal Jose Flaminiano and another defense lawyer, Cleofe Verzola protested that Villa Ignacio was "in effect" threatening the witness and resorting to a fishing expedition.

"This is a direct threat on the witness," Flaminiano said.

"This is uncalled for. We have protested this before. It’s insulting."

However, Villa Ignacio, who was cross-examining Floreindo, said he was "just trying to test" the bias and credibility of the witness. — Delon Porcalla, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jess Diaz