MANILA: A support group for political prisoners on Wednesday denounced the “theatrical” medical excuses and privileges sought by Senator Jinggoy Estrada and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan in their graft and plunder case before the Sandiganbayan, a special court that has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft, corrupt practices and such other offences committed by public officers and employees.
“There must be no customised justice, no exemptions from standard jail protocols, and absolutely no special treatment for VIPs — whom we define as Very Important Prisoners,” said Fides Lim, spokesperson of Kapatid.
Kapatid, which stands for Kaisahan ng mga Pamilya at Kaibigan ng mga Detenidong Pulitikal, was reacting to Estrada’s request not to be handcuffed and not to wear the standard yellow shirt bearing the name of the BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) during the duration of his trial.
Bonoan, on the other hand, filed a motion seeking hospital arrest and even asked for the postponement of his arraignment on June 2 in connection with his graft case.
“Recidivist plunderers like Estrada demand customised justice — pressuring authorities to remove handcuffs and skip the standard BJMP yellow uniform — exposing a glaring, cruel double standard,” Lim said.
Kapatid also noted that the bias is sharply felt by political prisoners who are “heavily penalised and deprived” of basic medical needs.
Estrada and Bonoan are the subject of a graft case before the Second Division of the anti-graft court, as well as another plunder and graft case before the court’s Fifth Division.
Both were charged in connection with their alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.
They are being held in custody while the case is ongoing, as the plunder charge is non-bailable.
Estrada was committed to the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas, while Bonoan was sent to a private hospital. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
