Jinggoy allowed to visit ailing in-law

Detained Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Ejercito Estrada has been allowed by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to visit his mother-in-law at the hospital.

"For humanitarian considerations, the Court resolves to grant the instant motion of accused-movant over the objection of the prosecution," read the Fifth Division's resolution signed by its Chairman Roland Jurado and Associate Justices Alexander Gesmundo and Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta.

Estrada, who is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, is facing plunder charges due to his alleged involvement in the P10billion pork barrel scam.

With this, the graft court permitted Estrada to visit from 9 a.m. to 12 noon yesterday his mother-in-law, Estelita Vitug, who is confined at the intensive care unit of the St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City. Vitug suffered a stroke on July 19 and 21.

The Fifth Division instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide adequate escorts and security to Estrada who is detained at the PNP's Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

The tribunal assured police that Estrada will shoulder all the expenses incurred by the PNP in providing security to the senator.

The court instructed police to bring the senator to the hospital not earlier than 9 a.m. and stay there not later than noon.

The magistrates warned the PNP that Estrada should not be brought anywhere else other than the St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City.

Likewise, the court told police that the use all communications and electronic devices by Estrada and his companions should be under PNP control and supervision.