(Eagle News) — The Sandiganbayan has allowed former Senator Jinggoy Estrada to go on vacation abroad.
In his motion before the fifth division Estrada had said the trip–which if allowed would be from December 26 to 31—was something he promised his family.
“After accused-movant was allowed bail, the family has been longing for bonding outside of the country. The…holidays would be the most opportune time to have this,” he had said.
He said if allowed, he, his wife Presentacion, and their children Janella, Jolo, Julian and Jill, would be booked at the Marco Polo hotel in Kowloon.
In seeking the court’s approval, Estrada argued that he was not a flight risk.
He said proof of this was the fact that he returned to the country after he accompanied his father, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, in his medical check-up in Singapore in November.
Estrada is accused of receiving P183-million worth of kickbacks from alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.
He was allowed to post bail by the court on Sept. 16 after, according to the Sandiganbayan, the prosecution failed to prove he was the “main plunderer” in the case.
