Two solons-- one from the opposition and the other from the administration party—said today that deposed President Joseph Estrada may be allowed to go to the United States for medical treatment as long as he can guarantee that he will abide by certain conditions to ensure that he will not escape from the plunder charges filed against him before the Sandiganbayan.
Assistant House Minority Leader Gilbert Remulla (2nd District, Cavite) said allowing the former chief executive to go to the US for a replacement surgery for his degenerating knees is a concrete gesture of reconciliation to those who are still supporting the former President.
On the other hand, Administration Congressman Prospero Nograles ( 1st District, Davao City) said that as long as the former chief executive will remain under government custody while in the US, there should be no concern that he might run away from his present legal woes.
Remulla and Nograles are among the co-authors of the House Resolution expressing support for Estrada’s petition for him to get medical attention in the United States. The House resolution was primarily authored by Rep. Didagen Dilangalen.
At present, there are at least 120 other congressmen who have agreed to co-author the resolution. A similar resolution was filed in the Senate and was supported by 19 out of the 24 Senators.
Remulla said that Estrada have adequately manifested his determination to face the charges filed against him and this should serve a basis for the Sandiganbayan to grant his petition to get a surgery in the US.
They pointed out that Estrada could have readily accepted offers by the Arroyo government to seek exile to a country of his choice if he had any intention to escape prosecution.
“ There’s no point worrying that Erap might suddenly seek asylum once he is in the United States. I think he has shown us his resolve to face the Sandiganbayan and answer all the charges against him,” Remulla said.
“ Allowing Mr. Estrada to seek medical treatment abroad should not be viewed as a preferential treatment to the former President but should be seen as an offer of reconciliation to his supporters,” he added.
Nograles, who chairman of the administration party Lakas in Davao City, said that the Sandiganbayan can adopt certain measures which would guarantee that the former President would be coming back to face the charges against him.
He said the anti-graft court could assign a couple of police officers who would take custody of Estrada while undergoing medical treatment abroad.
The Davao City solon also stressed that Estrada should abide by all the conditions and security arrangements that would be set by the Sandiganbayan and his custodians while he is in the United States.
“ The Sandiganbayan can even assign Col. Reynaldo Berroya as one of his security details if only to make sure that Estrada will be closely guarded,” Nograles remarked.