Sandiganbayan OKs Singapore trip of Jinggoy Estrada

Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada has secured the approval of the Sandiganbayan for his eight-day trip to Singapore where he is expected to accompany his mother, former First Lady and former Senator Loi Ejercito, for a medical checkup.

The Fifth Division allowed Estrada to travel from October 1 to 8. He is required to inform the court of his arrival within five days upon his return.

Estrada had said he and Ejercito will spend most of their time at the Singapore Brain-Spine Nerves Center at Mount Elizabeth Hospital to meet a neurosurgeon named Dr. Pillay. 

The medical examination comes as Ejercito has been diagnosed with “severe compression deformity of the lumbar spine with vertebral body collapse,” according to Estrada's travel motion.

During the proceedings on September 27, the prosecution opposed the bid of Estrada, saying he is a flight risk and that the intended travel is not a compelling reason for the former lawmaker to leave the country.

The Sandiganbayan, however, said it cannot impair the right of Estrada to travel abroad considering his previous trips abroad were also allowed.

"For the reason stated therein and considering that the right to travel is a constitutional right which cannot be impaired except in cases provided for by law, and that accused-movant Estrada has been previously granted travel abroad, the instant motion is granted," the Sandiganbayan said.

The Sandiganbayan said the P2.6-million travel bond posted by Estrada last year will guarantee his return to the country.

Estrada stands accused of plunder and 11 counts of graft for allegedly pocketing P183.79-million worth of kickbacks by allocating his pork barrel funds to fake non-government organizations owned by alleged scheme mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

He is currently enjoying his provisional liberty after the court allowed him to post bail worth P1.3 million in September 2017. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/RSJ, GMA News