Senator Jinggoy Estrada (Photo courtesy of Joan Bondoc/PNA)
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology denied that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada received special treatment when he was brought to a hospital for a medical check-up, saying the visit was authorized by the Sandiganbayan.
BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said the agency merely implemented a lawful directive issued by the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division.
The clarification came after groups supporting political prisoners criticized Estrada’s hospital visit, arguing that his knee condition did not constitute an emergency and alleging preferential treatment.
Estrada was brought to Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Wednesday after securing court permission earlier in the week to undergo medical examination.
Orthopedic surgeon Fernando Syquia recommended surgery after examining a meniscus tear in Estrada’s left knee, describing the condition as serious.
In his motion before the Sandiganbayan, Estrada said he had been experiencing joint effusion even before his June 1 detention and had previously been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
He also underwent a knee X-ray after the court granted his request for medical examination.
Estrada is facing allegations that he received as much as Php 573 million in kickbacks linked to budget insertions and infrastructure allocations under the 2025 national budget.