Jinggoy gets Sandigan's nod for pre-campaign HK vacation

The Sandiganbayan has allowed former Senator Jinggoy Estrada to hold a five-day pre-campaign vacation in Hong Kong with his family while his plunder case on the pork barrel fund scam proceeds.

A minute resolution from the Fifth Division on December 12 said Estrada is granted permission to travel to Hong Kong from December 26 to 31 in consideration of his right to travel.

"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.

Estrada had said "the purpose of the travel is for the family to spend the holidays together and have more time to relax and have a rest from pressure of his everyday concerns before the campaign period."

The prosecution opposed the trip of Estrada, who is running for another Senate term in the 2019 elections, due to its lack of urgency. It also proposed that his family spend the holidays in the Philippines instead.

It added that Estrada failed to provide an itinerary of his activities and a telephone number where he can be reached in Hong Kong.

The Sandiganbayan, nonetheless, said the P2.66-million travel bond of Estrada posted in November 2017 will guarantee his compliance to the conditions set by the anti-graft court.

The resolution stated Estrada is required to present himself to the division clerk of court within five days upon his return to the Philippines and submit relevant travel documents.

The Sandiganbayan also warned the former lawmaker that any violation of the terms of his travel authority "shall be sufficient ground for this court to order the forfeiture of his travel bond, as well as to cause the issuance of a warrant for his arrest."

Estrada faces plunder and graft charges for allegedly pocketing P183.8-million in kickbacks by allocating his Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, to the fake non-government organizations of alleged scheme mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

The Sandiganbayan allowed Estrada to post bail worth P1.33 million for his temporary freedom in September 2017.

His co-accused Napoles was found guilty by the anti-graft court's First Division last week in the plunder case of former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., who was acquitted of the non-bailable crime. —KBK, GMA News