Jinggoy Estrada seeks Sandigan nod to attend Senate Mamasapano probe

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. POOL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday filed a motion asking the Sandiganbayan’s permission for him to attend the Senate probe on the bloody Mamasapano clash.

In an urgent motion, Estrada said he should attend the Senate hearing set on February 9 as it is his constitutional right as duly elected senator.

“Indubitably, this hearing is of national interest for which the accused-movant would like to fulfill his constitutional duty and obligation to attend and participate at the said committee hearing,” the motion said.

Estrada, who is facing plunder and graft raps over the pork barrel scam, said the antigraft court should allow him to attend the committee hearing because he is no longer suspended from the Senate.

“It is a matter of record that the preventive suspension of the accused by the Honorable Court last July 17, 2014, had already been served and he has been fulfilling his obligations as a duly elected Senator of the country since last year,” the motion read.

Estrada said he wanted to go to the Senate two hours before the start of the probe on the Mamasapano carnage, which had been downplayed by authorities as a “misencounter” between the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The PNP-SAF was in Mamasapano to capture a Malaysian terrorist when they were fired at by the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, resulting in the death of 44 elite cops.

Estrada said he will return to his detention cell in the PNP Custodial Center within two hours after the Senate body’s adjournment.

“Accused-movant prays that he be allowed to attend the Senate legislative investigation of the Mamasapano incident of the SAF 44, under the usual escort and security conditions at accused’s expense,” the motion said.

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