THE Sandiganbayan allowed detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada to visit in the hospital his mother-in-law who suffered a stroke.
In a resolution, the antigraft court Fifth Division gave Estrada three hours on Thursday, July 23, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon to visit Estelita Vitug who is in the intensive care unit of the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.
Vitug is the mother of Estrada’s wife Precy.
“For humanitarian considerations, the Court resolves to grant the instant motion of accused-movant over the objection of the prosecution,” the court said.
The court said Senator Estrada should leave detention not earlier than 9 a.m. and go back to detention from St. Luke’s not later than 12 noon.
The court imposed the usual conditions of security escorts to limit Estrada’s movement. The court said communication devices would be under the control of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Media interviews would also not be allowed.
Estrada should also shoulder expenses of the trip, the court added.
The court had earlier granted Estrada furlough to attend the graduation of his son Julian Emilio.
Estrada faces plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for his alleged involvement in the scheme of pilfering lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) to ghost projects for kickbacks. He is detained with Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. for the same charges. Meanwhile, co-accused Senator Juan Ponce Enrile is under hospital detention.