Wednesday, August 04, 2004 Erap treatment abroad up to court: Bunye
PRESIDENTIAL spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Malacañang would leave the appeal of former President Joseph Estrada to seek medical treatment for his knee and back pains in Switzerland to "the sound discretion of the Sandiganbayan."
Bunye reiterated that President Arroyo does not meddle with the duties of the judicial branch, which is a separate and independent body.
He added that the openness of Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo of Pampanga and Ignacio Arroyo Jr. of Negros Oriental, son and brother-in-law-of the President, to the idea does not necessarily reflect the Chief Executive's stand.
"The personal stand of the President on this issue is this is a matter for the decision of the Sandiganbayan. If and when this request is granted, there should be no objection. And we should be happy for the former President," Bunye said.
Bunye added that the objection of the government prosecutors to Estrada's appeal was merely part of their job.
He also denied that the decision on whether or not Estrada would be allowed to leave is a political decision.
"The Prosecutor is doing his job according to his own perception of the situation. But in the end, it's the decision of the court that should prevail. It's a matter of discretion on the part of the Sandigan and we believe that the Sandigan will exercise their discretion and their authority wisely," Bunye said. JMR
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