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 n early October, 2000 a stern-faced
 Senator Teofisto Guingona in a privilege speech dropped a 'bombshell'
implicating then President Joseph Estrada in a jueteng payoff scandal.
Guingona even went so far as to call Estrada the 'top jueteng lord' in the country.
And thus began the series of events that led to
the historic EDSA Dos
(the Second People Power Movement) and the forced removal of President Estrada from
office. Estrada now faces charges of plunder and is
currently under house arrest in his Tanay, Rizal vacation home.
 But what a difference 5 years and a few
odd months make. Now, the former president who is accused of a non-bailable
offense under Philippine law, is asking to be released on his own
recognizance and has even managed to secure the help of three of the
country's top religious leaders to help him with it. The rationale for
his request: Tanay is too far away from the Metro
Manila offices of his lawyers. On the face of it, a reasonable request.
But let us not forget that "unbailable" should mean "unbailable" no matter how
you slice, dice or skewer it. Why not just move Mr. Estrada to a secure facility in Metro Manila
closer to his lawyers?
 And
it looks like those responsible for bringing about his detention five
years ago are now amenable to such a request--never mind if the law.
Even the Arroyo administration is hinting that it will not oppose such a
request. Even Teofisto Guingona, the former senator and vice
president who has since parted ways with the current Arroyo
administration was seen visiting the accused former president this past
Valentine's Day!
It is now up to the Sandigan Bayan to make
the final determination on Estrada's request. What we and many other
overseas Filipinos are asking is why can't the former president be moved
to a facility in Camp Crame or the Veteran's Hospital where he was
earlier detained? Granting Estrada even temporary freedom makes a
mockery of the country's plunder laws and a clear message to all future
plunderers: Just wait five or so years and your kababayans will begin to
let you slide. Just look at Marcos and his band of thieves! Those alive
are all free and enjoying the fruits of their ill-gotten wealth.
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