This court, therefore, believes that allowing movant (President Joseph 'Erap' Estrada) to be detained at his rest house will serve to promote and protect the public interest.

As a condition to the grant of herein motion is that movant will not promote, provoke or support, in any manner, any public disturbance or allow his name to be used in whipping up a feeling of discontent; otherwise, he will be brought back to Camp Capinpin or to the VMMC (Veterans Memorial Medical Center) as the circumstance would warrant.

Estrada is not like any other prisoner. His case is unique. He is a former president whose continuing political clout this court takes a judicial notice of... Other fallen heads of state are likewise treated differently because of their role in influencing the peace and order situation in their country, among other things.

Precisely, he is being prosecuted separately for perjury for failure to disclose his bank account. Precisely, as well, the act of accumulating alleged commissions, gifts, shares, etc., and depositing the same under his name 'Jose Velarde' is being used against him in plunder.

A reasonable scrutiny of the laws as applied to the present case has indubitably led this court to conclude that the use of an alias within the context of a bank transaction is protected by the secrecy provisions of RA 1405, until the passage into law of RA 9160.

by Presiding Justice Minita Chico-Nazario*
the Sandiganbayan special division said in a 19-page resolution

Public perception is that Estrada is being given special treatment.

by Assistant Ombudsman Dennis Villa-Ignacio*
who will file a motion for reconsideration this week
to stop Estrada move to rest house