Sen. Jinggoy Estrada: Allowed bail in 2003 after two years in detention following a finding that he probably collected “jueteng” protection money only for his “own selfish needs” and not in “conspiracy” with his father. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JOAN BONDOC
On April 25, 2001, then San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada was arrested with his father, ousted President Joseph Estrada. The younger Estrada was a coaccused in his father’s plunder case.
Jinggoy was charged with conspiring with his father “in amassing and acquiring through ill-gotten wealth from illegal gambling through any or a combination or a series of overt or criminal acts or similar schemes or means.”
They were held in “temporary detention” at the office of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Father and son were provided separate cells.
On April 28, the Estradas were taken to Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City for full medical checkup before their transfer to the Philippine National Police Special Forces training camp at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna province.
On May 1, Estrada and his son were airlifted from VMMC to Fort Sto. Domingo. Pro-Estrada supporters marched on Malacañang, resulting in violent clashes between riot police and the marchers.
On May 12, the Estradas were taken out of Fort Sto. Domingo after they complained of fever and chills, and chest pains in the case of Jinggoy. The Estradas shared a tightly guarded suite at the state-run VMMC.
On June 20, the Sandiganbayan allowed the Estradas to remain detained at VMMC “until further orders.” The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division said its decision was based on the latest medical bulletin issued by VMMC doctors.
On Dec. 7, Jinggoy was rushed to Makati Medical Center (MMC) after he complained of chest pains and shortness of breath. Jinggoy was confined twice before at MMC for a heart condition. His first confinement was from July 11 to 21 and the second, from July 29 to Aug. 1.
On March 6, 2003, after spending almost two years in detention, Jinggoy was allowed bail, after the Sandiganbayan found that the ex-mayor probably collected “jueteng” protection money but only for his “own selfish needs” and not in “conspiracy” with his father.
On Sept. 12, 2007, Jinggoy was cleared of plunder charges, but his father was convicted. Estrada, who was 70 years old at the time, evaded a 40-year jail term when then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pardoned him barely two months after his conviction.–Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives