Jinggoy: I want cable TV in jail for ‘teleserye’

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Jinggoy Estrada is anxious about his second arrest for plunder but this early, he already has a list of things to do to kill time in jail.

The senator said he wants to keep himself updated about current events and his favorite soap operas, and will make a special request to the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.

“Sinabi ni [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Benjamin] Magalong  na walang aircon, TV at gadgets. Pero sana mag-request na magkaroon ng TV. Senador pa naman kami. Gusto naming malaman anong nangyayari sa labas,” Estrada said in a press briefing in Manila on Thursday, June 19.

(Director Magalong told me there is no aircon, TV and gadgets in jail. But I hope we can request to have a TV. We are still senators and we want to know what is happening outside.)

Recalling his first time in jail, Estrada said he wants not just any television, but one with cable.

“Ginagawa ko noon mag-exercise Monday to Friday, manood ng teleserye, kain tapos tulog. Gusto ko na cable para sa teleserye,” he said.  (What I used to do before was exercise from Monday to Friday, watch soap operas, eat then sleep. I want cable for the soap operas.)

Estrada was first arrested and detained for plunder in 2001, along with his father former President now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. Father and son were accused of receiving payoffs from the illegal numbers game jueteng but the younger Estrada was acquitted while his father was convicted but pardoned.

The senator said that his wife, Precy, already suggested an activity for him in jail.

“Gusto na akong turuan ng asawa ko gumawa ng loom band pero gawaing pambabae eh. Pero kung walang magawa sa kulungan, gagawa na ako. Pero wala akong pagbebentahan doon kasi ang inmates ko, dalawa lang,” he said, referring to co-accused Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr and Juan Ponce Enrile.

(My wife already wants to teach me to make loom bands but that is an activity for women. But if I really have nothing to do in jail, I will start making loom bands. But there’s no one I can sell my bands to because I have only two fellow inmates.)

Estrada, Revilla and Enrile were charged with plunder and graft before the Sandiganbayan. They supposedly conspired with alleged mastermind Janet Lim Napoles to endorse her fake non-governmental organizations as recipients of their pork barrel or discretionary funds meant for the poor.

The 3 allegedly got millions of pesos in kickbacks in exchange.

Bible for Bong, novena for Jinggoy

Estrada ribbed bosom buddy and fellow actor Revilla for saying that he will use jail time to ready the Bible. (READ: Revilla and Estrada’s Pork Barrel Creed)

“Lagi kasi akong nagdadasal eh. Si Senator Bong, hindi nagdadasal eh,” Estrada said. (I always pray but Senator Bong doesn’t.)

Turning serious, Estrada had some words for Revilla, who was ordered arrested on Thursday afternoon, just about an hour after his press conference.

“Siyempre first time lang niya. ‘Di pa sanay makulong iyan. Advice: stay cool. Laging magdasal.” (Of course, it’s just his first time. He is not yet used to getting jail. My advice: stay cool. Always pray.)

Estrada said he learned this during his first time in jail, when his mother, former Senator Loi Estrada, noticed that he was restless and wanted to get out soon.

“Binigyan niya ako ng novena prayers. Sabi ipagdasal ko para makalabas ako. Pinagdasal ko na lahat ng santo, Saint Jude, etc. Naging barkada ko na nga eh! Sabi ko, ‘Ma, bakit ‘di pa ako nakakalabas?’ Tumawa lang siya. ‘Basta kumapit ka sa Panginoon.’ It worked naman for me.”

(My mother gave me novena prayers. She said I should pray for my release. I prayed to all the saints, Saint Jude, etc. They already became my buddies! I asked, “Mom, how come I’m still in jail?” She just laughed and said, “Just hang on to the Lord.” It worked for me.)

As for Enrile, Estrada said he is in touch with his mentor via phone almost every day. “I have pity on him. He’s already 90 years old.”

Still, he said that Enrile told him, “You better be strong. Don’t think about it. We can handle this.”

Estrada said the legal luminary boosts his morale and guides him in his defense.

The senator added that he already bid his Senate staff goodbye before session ended last week. “I told my staff: Don’t cry for me. I shall return.”

He also asked Senators Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and Pia Cayetano to defend his two labor bills while he is in jail.

Estrada said that among his colleagues, he will miss fellow minority members Senators Nancy Binay and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

Asked about his estranged half-brother Senator JV Ejercito, he said, “Mahirap nang magsalita. Ang mga mabait sa akin, mami-miss ko.” (It’s hard to say. Those who are kind to me, I will miss.)

New movie title: My ‘Sexy’ Dad

Estrada still found humor in his situation, using a play of words on his codename in the pork barrel files “Sexy.”

“Actually, only a few of you might know that I made a movie before this scam came out, with Maja Salvador. It was not released. It was about family, that I am the father of the bride. But I asked them to change the title to, ‘Ang daddy kong Sexy’ (My Sexy Dad) from the original title, ‘Daddyguard.’”

Asked about the lesson he learned from the plunder controversy, Estrada said he did not regret his actions as a politician.

“If this is the price I have to pay, so be it. Alam ko politics is a dirty game but I will never give up. Ito kinagisnan ko. Masaya akong tulungan ang aking mga kababayan. Sa lahat ng bumabatikos, ‘di kayo ang dahilan sa pagsuko ko sa aking laban.” 

(This is the world I grew up in. I am happy to help our countrymen. To all those criticizing me, you will not be the reason for me to surrender from this battle.) – Rappler.com