SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – Even if he wanted to, Senator Jinggoy Estrada will have a difficult time asking for the inhibition of a third member of the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division. The post is currently vacant and has yet to be filled by President Benigno S. Aquino.
Sandiganbayan executive clerk of court and designated court spokesman Renato Bocar said every member of the graft court is “sworn to be fair and impartial in hearing and deciding cases.” Estrada, Bocar said, would have to respect the appointment of the new magistrate. (READ: Get to know the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan)
The current vacancy in the Fifth Division was created when Associate Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang was promoted to Presiding Justice following the retirement of former Presiding Justice Fracisco Villaruz. Associate Justice Alex Quiroz has been sitting in the Fifth Division as proxy for its mandated third member. The President has yet to announce any appointment to the graft court. (READ: Chief Justice rebuffs Malacañang over court vacancy)
Even if Aquino appoints a new justice, Estrada believes he will be acquitted.
In a SunStar report, Estrada said, “I don’t mind. I’m not worried at all. I am very sure that the Sandiganbayan will dispense fair justice. They (justices) should be fair and if they will exercise fairness, I will be acquitted of all the charges.”
“I can only pray for them to afford us fair justice in the end. I do not know anyone in the Sandiganbayan except for one who was appointed by my father long time ago and who has already inhibited from the case,” Estrada added.
The justice who inhibited is Associate Justice Gregory Ong of the Fourth Division, who has been linked to Janet Lim Napoles and Estrada. (READ: Anti-graft court justice in pork scam files)
The opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has questioned the application of “selective justice” against senators Estrada and Enrile. The fact that other lawmakers implicated in the pork barrel scam have not been charged is evidence of the government’s persecution of Enrile and Estrada, according to UNA members. – Rappler.com
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