Jinggoy insists on holding committee hearings in detention

Detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada is planning on calling committee hearings, even without expressed permission from the Sandiganbayan, which has once denied him a similar request. 

 

“Baka [I will give them] notice lang, I think it is my constitutional duty to perform my duties and responsibilities as a senator, even while in detention,” Estrada told reporters after his bail hearing. 

 

Estrada, who is accused of graft and plunder for allegedly conspiring with businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles to divert millions in public funds to bogus NGOs in exchange for kickbacks, attempted to ask justices of the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division for permission to hold hearings at the PNP Custodial Center. 

 

“[My suspension] has already been lifted, that’s why my lawyers manifested to the court if I may be given a chance to talk, to air my side with regard to the conducting of committee hearings sa loob ng custodial center,” Estrada said.

 

The senator’s request, however, was denied.

 

In September 2014, the anti-graft court also denied a similar request of Estrada’s, saying it lacked merit, and that his continued practice of profession should not be allowed as a consequence of his status as a detention prisoner.

 

However, Estrada emphasized that his request has precedence, in the form of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who conducted hearings when he was detained. 

 

“First, I think my suspension order has already been lifted. Second, there already has been a precedent, wherein Sen. Trillanes, when he was incarcerated before, conducted committee hearings while in detention,” Estrada said. 

 

Estrada added that Trillanes did not need to ask permission to be allowed to conduct committee hearings. 

 

“That is why I am appealing to this Honorable Court to allow me to conduct committee hearings even inside my detention cell. Kasi si Sen. Trillanes did not have to seek any approval from the court and he conducted hearings inside his detention cell.” he said. 

 

Estrada, who chairs the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development, also said he feels guilty since he receives his salary, even without working.

 

“I think it is unconscionable on my part not to do anything while in incarceration, when I ‘m still getting my salaries as a senator of the Republic. Eh gusto ko rin siyempre mag trabaho,” he said. — Patricia Denise Chiu/RSJ, GMA News