Sandiganbayan OKs Jinggoy’s 31-day US trip

Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday secured the approval of the Sandiganbayan for his 31-day trip to the United States to attend a conference, undergo a medical consultation, and go on vacation with his family.

The Fifth Division approved the motion to travel of Estrada in open court during the resumption of the former lawmaker's trial in connection with his alleged involvement in the pork barrel fund scam.

Division chairperson Associate Justice Rafael Lagos, however, ordered the counsels of Estrada to provide his full itinerary "otherwise the court will not issue the separate resolution" on his motion. 

The grant of Estrada's trip came after he reduced his intended trip by 10 days from April 30 to May 30, 2018 since those accused are not allowed to travel abroad by more than one month. His earlier travel period lasted from April 21 to May 31.

In his motion, Estrada said he has accepted an invitation to be the guest speaker of the US Pinoy for Good Governance (USP4GG) at its annual general membership meeting in Michigan on May 20.

He attached the letter-invitation signed by USP4GG president William Dechavez in his motion.

Estrada said he is expected to discuss nationwide issues such as the alleged extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs, the mess concerning the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, and the federalism plan of the government during his speech.

Estrada is then scheduled to undergo a medical consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, a certain Dr. Christopher Mow, at the Stanford Hospital in California for his recurring shoulder problem.

Estrada added the US trip will be capped off by a vacation with his family, a graduation gift for his son Julian, and visit relatives in the US. He, however, failed to state which states they are expected to go.

"This family trip was accused-movant's promise to his family especially to Julian when he graduated last March 17, 2015 at the OB Montessori Greenhills, San Juan," Estrada said.

The trip will include Estrada's wife Precy and children Janella, Jolo, and Jill.

Estrada is facing plunder and 11 counts of graft for allegedly pocketing P183.8-million in kickbacks by allocating his Priority Development Assistance Fund to fake non-government organizations allegedly owned by Janet Lim Napoles, the scam's alleged mastermind. — RSJ, GMA News