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Sunday, September 14, 2003
Bunye: Palace respects Sandigan decision on Serapio bail
By She Caguimbal-Torres
MALACANANG didn't frown on the Sandiganbayan's decision allowing lawyer Eduardo Serapio, counsel of former President Joseph Estrada, to post a P500,000 bail after more than two years of waiting.
But presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye was quick to point out that the bail does not mean the cases against Serapio and Estrada are already weakening.
Bunye in a radio interview said the Sandiganbayan was acting within its jurisdiction when it granted the bail.
"Itong pagsisiyasat at pagdidinig sa usaping ito ay iyan ay full prerogative ng Sandiganbayan. Kaya't itong secondary issue ng pagbibigay ng bail kay Atty. Serapio ay ito ay well within the prerogative of the Sandiganbayan. At kung ano ang decision ng Sandiganbayan, iyan ay nirerespeto ng Palasyo," he said.
Serapio was included in the plunder charges against Estrada for allegedly lawyering for the Muslim Youth Foundation, an alleged repository of jueteng funds.
Estrada's son Jinggoy, a former San Juan mayor who was also charged with plunder, was also granted bail early this year after being detained with the former president at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
(September 14, 2003 issue)
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