Court allows Jinggoy Estrada to vote on May 9

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has allowed detained senator Jinggoy Estrada to vote in the May 9 elections.

Estrada, detained for plunder charges in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, will be allowed to leave the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame at 11 am, to cast his vote by 1 pm on Monday.

The Sandiganbayan 5th Division said in its resolution, however, that Estrada can only vote for national candidates.

“The Court takes judicial notice that the Supreme Court allowed Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to vote at her voter’s precinct in Pampanga. In the incident at bar, the Court allows the accused-movant to vote at his voter’s precinct at San Juan City on national positions only in view of the Temporary Restraining Order issued by the Supreme Court on detainee voting on the local level,” the court said.

“The authority is subject further to the condition that there is no existing polling precinct at the PNP Custodial Center where he can vote,” it added.

Estrada had earlier filed an urgent motion before the Sandiganbayan 5th Division to allow him to vote in his precinct in Xavier School in San Juan City.

Based on the resolution, he cannot vote for his daughter, Janella Ejercito, who is running for San Juan vice mayor.

The court thumbed down his request for permission to attend the miting de avance of Janella on May 7. It said Estrada’s motion is “bereft of merit.” – Rappler.com