Sandiganbayan rejects Jinggoy’s plea to attend Kuya Germs’s wake

“The motion is bereft of merit... Wherefore, accused Senator Estrada’s instant motion to attend the wake of Mr. Moreno is DENIED,” the fifth division’s comment of opposition read.

 

The rejection of Estrada’s plea comes after the anti-graft’s first division denied detained Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s plea to have five-hour furlough to visit Moreno’s wake.

 

The Sandiganbayan fifth division composed of Chair Roland Jurado, Associate Justices Maria Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta and Sarah jane Fernandez, noted that the court’s recent ruling to deny Estrada’s petition for bail provided that it is restricting the senator from full enjoyment of his civil and political rights as necessary consequences of his detention.

 

“The prosecution, while noting with deference accused-movant’s wish vehemently opposes the motion. It alleged that accused is charged with grave offense of plunder and in view of the recent ruling of the court denying his petition for bail, he must not be given even a glimpse of window of opportunity for him to evade this case,” Sandiganbayan’s comment stated.

 

“Accused movant, being a detention-prisoner cannot be accorded the full enjoyment of his civil or political rights as necessary consequences of his detention, incarceration, by its nature, changes an individual’s status in society,” it added.

 

The division is also strictly avoiding creating an impression that Estrada, being a public servant, is favored over other detainees and does not want to make a decision that will later on be regarded as a mockery of the administration of justice.

 

“It reiterated its previous claim that to grant movant’s request would unduly create an impression on the public that accused, being a high-ranking public official is a favored detainee over and above other similarly situated detainees,” the court said.

 

Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division said it “been consistent in restricting his (Estrada’s) movements by denying his earlier requests for furlough/pass which were akin to the present motion.”

 

Estrada submitted his urgent motion on Monday seeking to attend Moreno’s wake on Tuesday, January 12 at Mt. Carmel Church, Quezon City.

 

Like Revilla, Estrada is also detained at the Philippine National Custodial Center in Camp Crame for his involvement in the pork barrel scam. Both senators are charged with plunder.