BJMP: Estrada’s check-up covered by court order, not special treatment

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s medical check-up was authorized by a court order, dismissing the “special treatment” remark from two political prisoner support groups.

“The medical check-up of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was covered by a court order,” Bustinera told the Inquirer on Friday.

“BJMP was implementing a lawful court directive, not extending special treatment,” he said, adding that the court order was issued by the Fifth Division of Sandiganbayan.

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READ: Doctor recommends surgery for tear in Estrada’s knee

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On Thursday, Danilo dela Fuente, vice chair for Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto said the senator’s condition is “not generally considered an emergency.”

Amanda Echanis, spokesperson of Laya Campaign for the Release of All Political Prisoners, said “plunderers are treated with kid gloves.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Fernando Syquia, an orthopedic surgeon, recommended surgery to treat the meniscus tear in Estrada’s left knee, saying “it’s pretty bad.”

After securing permission from the Sandiganbayan on Monday, Estrada underwent a knee X-ray.

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He was brought to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Wednesday.

Estrada said in his motion before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division that he had been experiencing joint effusion even before his June 1 detention at a jail facility in Quezon City.

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He also disclosed that he had previously been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

The senator has been accused of receiving as much as P573 million in kickbacks from budget insertions and allocations for government infrastructure projects under the 2025 national budget. /mr