Jinggoy taps Estelito Mendoza on passport issue

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has hired former justice secretary Estelito Mendoza to respond to a request of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to have his passport canceled.

Speaking over radio dwIZ, Estrada said Mendoza has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for a 20-day extension to respond to the DOJ request.

The DFA told Estrada to respond within five days from Monday when he was formally informed about the matter.

Estrada said the DFA letter was delivered to his house last Monday, a holiday because of the barangay election.

“I was surprised at why they delivered the letter on a holiday,” he said. “I gave it to my lawyer and he has written (Justice Secretary Leila) De Lima and the DFA to ask for an extension because five days is not enough.”

Estrada plans to go to the US with his wife during the break of Congress to seek a second medical opinion on the lump found in her breast.

He has no exact date of departure yet as he has not been able to book a flight, he added.

Estrada insisted he is not a flight risk and would return to the country to face whatever charges will be filed against him.

The DOJ has also sought the cancellation of the passports of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.

No charges have yet been  filed against the three because the Office of the Ombudsman is still reviewing the plunder complaint against them.

Estrada said he has spoken with Enrile, who has informed him that he has not received a similar letter from the DFA.

He had no information about   Revilla, he added.