Sandiganbayan allows Jinggoy to attend son’s graduation

The Sandiganbayan on Monday allowed Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to attend his son's high school graduation on Tuesday for the sake of the child's well-being.

 

"The court decided to give you at least three hours. We are doing this not for the senator but we are doing this because of the child," Sandiganbayan Third Division Chair Roland Jurado said in open court.

 

Estrada will be allowed to leave his place of detention from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to attend the commencement exercises of his son Julian Emilio Ejercito at OB Montessori in San Juan.

 

The senator, who is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center over plunder and graft charges for his alleged participation in the pork barrel scam, welcomed the court's decision.

 

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa sa mga mahistrado ng Fifth Division ng Sandiganayan sa pagpayag nila na umattend ako ng graduation ng aking anak," Estrada said in a chance interview following his attendance at his bail hearing.

 

Estrada added that the once-in-a-lifetime event was important to his son Julian.

 

"Ito'y isang malaking bagay para sa aking anak. Siyempre gusto niya makita ang kaniyang mga magulang na present sa kanyang graduation. And this only happens once in a lifetime," he said.

 

In his two-page written motion submitted at the start of the hearing, Estrada requested to be allowed a temporary furlough from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Nevertheless the senator said he will abide by the shortened time allowed by the anti-graft court.

 

"The court only allowed me three hours to attend so 'di na siguro ako makakapag-attend ng kainan," he said.

 

Meanwhile, in a lighthearted moment, Estrada shared that his son wants to be an actor just like him.

 

The senator, however, advised his son to obtain a college degree.

 

"Gusto niya mag-full-time sa pag-artista pero ayaw ko naman pumayag dahil siyempre education is first and foremost priority. Dapat mabuti na 'yung may matapos siyang kurso kasi ang pag-aartista temporary lang iyan," he said. —KG, GMA News