Philippine Ex-President Asks for Sick Leave from Jail

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 03, 2002

Philippine Ex-President Asks for Sick Leave from Jail

Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada on Monday applied for permission from the anti-graft court to go on leave from jail to seek healing in a spring on December 16.

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Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada on Monday applied for permission from the anti-graft court to go on leave from jail to seek healing in a spring on December 16.

Estrada's lawyers filed the motion on his behalf and the anti-graft court gave the prosecution panel five days to comment or formally contest Estrada's latest request, the Philippine Daily Inquirer online news reported.

The court earlier denied Estrada's request to spend time at his home on All Souls' Day and the Christmas holidays.

A certain Sister Gloria reportedly told Estrada the water of the fountain in Caloocan city which is neighbor to Quezon city where Estrada's jail is located, has healing power that can cure his ailing knees.

Assistant Ombudsman Dennis Villaignacio of the prosecution panel said that granting Estrada's request will set a bad precedent, since other detainees may also come out with similar requests.

The prosecution panel has nothing against Estrada bathing in the "miraculous" water, as long as it is done in his suite at the Veterans Memorial Medial Center (VMMC) compound where Estrada has been jailed since last year on charges of plunder, perjury and illegal use of alias, Villaignacio said.

In its counter motion, senior state prosecutor Alexander Padilla said Estrada's motion was another attempt to avail of special privileges from the court.

Padilla said waters from the so-called miracle fountain could be brought to his detention if Estrada will insist on washing himself with it.

However, defense lawyer Prospero Crescini said Estrada is entitled to such privileges since he is a former president of the country.

Estrada was diagnosed as suffering from a progressive case of osteoarthritis, characterized by inflammation of the knees. The anti-graft court has denied his earlier petition to seek treatmentabroad.

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