Fil-Am group denies inviting Jinggoy Estrada to Michigan

A Filipino-American group headed by New York-based philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis has denied inviting former Senator Jinggoy Estrada as guest speaker in their annual membership meeting in Michigan next month.

In a statement dated Tuesday, the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USPGG) said there is no such invite extended to Estrada, one of the accused in the pork barrel scam case.

Estrada had claimed that 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 on May 20.

The speech was included in the motion to travel of Estrada where he sought Sandiganbayan's approval to go to the United States for 31 days from April 21 to May 31. 

Estrada attached a letter-invitation signed by USPGG president William Dechavez in his motion. The Fifth Division granted his motion on Monday but the formal travel authority has yet to be issued until Estrada provides his full itinerary.  

However, USPGG chairperson Lewis, a known Duterte critic, and president Rodel Rodis denied such a gathering. They also said Michigan chapter chief Dechavez has been on leave in the Philippines.

"USPGG Willie Dechavez did not invite Jinggoy Estrada to speak in Michigan under USPGG nor is any program being planned by USPGG Michigan since Willie Dechavez is on vacation in the Philippines," the statement read.

The statement said a certain Tony Antonio pushed for the invitation of Estrada to Dechavez, who responded that he can only invite the former lawmaker in his personal capacity.

"Tony Antonio asked him to invite Jinggoy and Willie said it could only be done in his personal capacity, not as chair of USPGG Michigan, because he needs consultation with his group in Michigan," the group said.

Dechavez, however, still used the USPGG letterhead and his official position in the letter-invitation.

Jinggoy to honor invite

Sought for comment, one of Estrada's legal counsels, Atty. Alexis Abastillas-Suarez, said the former senator will still honor the invitation despite the misunderstanding between USPGG officials.

"Basta we received an invite and we are honoring it. Whatever misunderstanding they have is already beyond us," Suarez said in a text message.

Aside from the supposed speech, Estrada said he is scheduled to have a medical consultation with an orthopedic surgeon at the Stanford Hospital in California for his recurring shoulder problem and go on vacation with his family.

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. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News