Jinggoy prefers house arrest over detention in new PNP cells

(Updated 2:59 p.m.) If he could have it his way, Senator Jinggoy Estrada would like to be placed under house arrest instead of being detained in new cells prepared by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for respondents in the alleged pork barrel scam.

 

In a television interview on Tuesday, Estrada, however, admitted that there is a slim chance that the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, which is handling his plunder and graft charges, will grant him house arrest.

 

"Kahit saan, wala naman tayong karapatang magdikta kung saan ko gustong makulong. Siyempre kung ako masusunod, dito na lang sa bahay, house arrest. Pero mukhang imposible namang mangyari iyon," Estrada said in an interview on GMA News' "Unang Balita."

 

Asked if he is planning to plead for hospital arrest, the senator said, "Walang plano."

 

Estrada, together with his co-accused in his plunder charges, is being accused of pocketing P183.79 million from his priority development assistance fund (PDAF) intended for poor farmers through a scheme allegedly orchestrated by detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

 

Also facing plunder and graft charges are Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.

 

In 2001, Estrada was already arrested and detained at Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna for a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan. He was accused of conspiring with his father, former President Joseph Estrada, to amass billions of ill-gotten wealth from jueteng operations and kickbacks from tobacco excise taxes.

 

In 2007, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Senator Estrada in relation to this plunder case, although his father was convicted.

 

Bong ready for arrest

 

Meanwhile, Senator Revilla, who is being accused of pocketing the biggest kickbacks from the alleged anomaly, said he is ready to be arrested and detained anytime.

 

"Talagang ganun eh so nakahanda na rin ang kalooban natin diyan kung kelan nila tayo riyan ipapasok. So anytime, I’m ready... Sa akin, kahit saan nila gustong dalhin. Haharapin ko ang kasong ito," Revilla said in a separate interview on GMA News TV's "News To Go."

 

Revilla even managed to joke about the detention cell being readied for him by the PNP.

 

"Ayoko na tingnan kung saan ako makukulong dahil kapag nakulong ako, baka makabisado ko lahat ng corners niyan," he quipped.

 

Enrile, for his part, had earlier asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to post bail for plunder, a non-bailable offense. The 90-year-old senator cited his deteriorating health in asking to be allowed to post bail.

 

On Monday, the PNP showed to the media the new detention facility being prepared for lawmakers and other respondents in charges related to the alleged pork barrel scam. 

 

The facility is a four-door unit measuring four by eight meters, with grilled windows and a common sink, surrounded by a high wall with barbed wires. The unit has freshly painted walls and single beds for detainees. — Andreo Calonzo and Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/KG, GMA News