Posted on 12/26/2003 8:21:42 AM PST by freepatriot32
Malacañang will help deposed President Joseph Estrada secure a United States visa to allow him to undergo knee surgery in California, a ranking Palace official said yesterday.
Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Secretary Michael Defensor told The STAR he personally called up Estrada to assure him of assistance in securing a US visa.
"I told him, ‘Mr. President, if you have any visa problems with the US Embassy (in Manila), please let us know and we will give you a line to them’," Defensor said.
Malacañang made the offer after the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday allowed the former leader to undergo knee surgery in the United States. He was ordered to return by March 31 but Estrada said he would be back by late February.
Citing humanitarian considerations, the Sandiganbayan reversed its ruling last year on Estrada’s first bid to seek surgery in the United States.
"I called him (Estrada) and told him, ‘Congratulations, Mr. President,’ and just let us know what we can do to help you," Defensor said.
There were reports that the US Embassy had rejected Estrada’s visa application, but this was immediately denied by the embassy and the Estrada camp.
US Embassy public affairs counselor Ronald Post said he could not comment on whether Estrada had applied for a visa. "We do not comment on individual visa applications," Post said.
Estrada told The STAR that Defensor called him up and made the offer.
"It was kind of him (Defensor) to call me up and offer his assistance," Estrada said. "He said I needed a diplomatic visa but I told him even ordinary visa is fine."
Estrada said he still has his old US B1-B2 visa but being the former president, he is supposed to be entitled to a diplomatic visa.
As of yesterday though, Estrada said his tentative flight plans for the US would be after Jan. 1, New Year’s Day.
Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye explained the matter of granting US visa to Estrada is beyond the authority and power of the Arroyo administration.
"The matter of issuance of visas is really the prerogative (of) the US government. So the lawyers of the former president will really have to go to the process and probably cite the Sandiganbayan decision allowing the (US) visit as a justification for the extension of the visa," Bunye said.
"Let’s await the decision by the US embassy on this particular regard. But at least the basis is already there, the Sandiganbayan decision could be submitted as a basis for (US) visa," Bunye said.
Bunye, however, noted complications arising out of the issuance of a US visa to Estrada, pointing out that the US authorities has a policy against issuing visas to persons facing criminal suits. Estrada is under detention facing plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan.
"I think it is for the lawyers of the former president to make representations. And they’re quite capable of making representation and the justification is already there," Bunye said.
Bunye also sought to defend the actions made by prosecutors seeking a reversal of the Sandiganbayan ruling allowing Estrada a three-month furlough.
Bunye said President Arroyo made plain her wish to allow Estrada to seek medical treatment abroad but government lawyers must do their job.
"They feel at this point it is their duty to at least submit a motion for reconsideration," he said.
Bunye explained there is no inconsistency in Mrs. Arroyo’s policy of reconciliation with the forces allied with Estrada even as government lawyers have opposed the court ruling allowing the deposed leader to travel abroad.
He stressed the Sandiganbayan is an independent body that cannot take orders from the executive department even as government lawyers are seeking a reversal of the decision.
"So a judicial process is taking place and the President is respecting the decision that has been handed down by the Sandiganbayan," Bunye said.
"The President has always expressed humanitarian consideration, humanitarian treatment and the goodwill of the President is there. It just so happens the decision of the Sandiganbayan is well along the lines pursued by the President," he said.
As early as a month ago, Defensor admitted visiting Estrada at his new detention cell at Camp Capinpin, an Army training camp in Tanay, Rizal to discuss with him the President’s reconciliation efforts.
Defensor said he saw the situation of Estrada and recommended to Mrs. Arroyo to provide the former leader a golf cart to enable him to move around the camp without necessarily being bothered by his bad knees.
The worsening knee problem caused Estrada to slip and hurt his forehead, Defensor said.
"I have no choice but to go (to the US for surgery)," Estrada said as he reiterated his wish to be with his ailing mother before he leaves the country.
Echoing the appeals for unity by Mrs. Arroyo, Estrada said this is also his Christmas wish for Filipinos.
"I hope Filipinos will be united come after (May 2004) elections because right now, the country is deeply divided," he said.
But but but I thought canada had the free health care for all that was the envy of the world why come to california and not toronto? things that make you go hmmmmmmm
Remember that Erap was the one that hid Mark Jimenez of FutureTech for Clinton.
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