00:00Senator Jingoy Estrada, whose flight plans for a Lenten retreat was rebuffed by the Justice Department,
00:06is now seeking relief from the country's graft court, which he contends has soldier's diction on his plea.
00:12The full story from our Rod Lagusan.
00:19Senator Jingoy Estrada filed a motion before the Sandigan Bayan 5th Division seeking permission to travel abroad
00:25from March 30 to April 5 or during the Hall Week.
00:28The lawmaker intends to travel to Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan.
00:32The said division is handling the senator's graft case in connection with the FIDAF,
00:36where Janet Lim Napolis is also his co-accused.
00:38Thus, Estrada is required to seek permission from the court due to the pending case.
00:42However, a precautionary hold departure order of PHDO has earlier been issued against him
00:47by the Manila Regional Trial Court in connection with the alleged anomalous flood control projects.
00:52In relation to this, in his motion before the Sandigan Bayan seeking permission to travel,
01:04included with him in the said PHDO are former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan,
01:09the late former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, and state witnesses,
01:13former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo,
01:16former DPWH Regional Director Gerald Opelencia,
01:19and former District Engineer Henry Alcantara.
01:21Justice Secretary Frederick Vida earlier said last month in relation to Bonoan's case
01:26that a court permission is required.
01:51The Department of Justice was the one that requested the court to issue the PHDO.
01:55According to DOJ spokesperson Paulo Martinez,
01:58the department will oppose any motion to leave the PHDO
02:01as they believe there are sufficient grounds for its issuance.
02:04The DOJ insists that Estrada is a flight risk and should not be allowed to leave the country.
02:08Martinez said the court that issued the PHDO has the authority to leave it
02:12and it will determine whether Estrada's motion has merit,
02:14Rod Ligu said, from the National TV Network for a New and Better Philippines.
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