The Sandiganbayan Special Division hearing his plunder and perjury cases granted yesterday the former President a nine-hour special pass, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Dec. 25 so he could celebrate Christmas with his loved ones in his mother’s residence on Kennedy St. in North Greenhills, San Juan.

Estrada’s camp, however, appeared to be disappointed over the decision.

Former Immigration Commissioner Rufus Rodriguez, a spokesman for the detained leader, said they had been hoping the anti-graft court would approve the four-day pass Estrada had requested in a petition submitted last week.

In giving Estrada a nine-hour furlough, the court took into consideration the comments of the prosecution and the Philippine National Police (PNP), especially the latter’s concerns regarding the lack of time to prepare the necessary security arrangements for the former President’s intended visit.

The court also noted the non-availability of the required number of PNP personnel to provide Estrada with round the clock security while on an extended holiday visit because of the PNP’s preparations for the 12th ASEAN Summit to be held in Cebu on the second week of January, 2007.

In a two-page resolution signed by Presiding Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro and Associate Justices Francisco Villaruz Jr. and Diosdado Peralta, the Special Division ordered the PNP "to see to it that the usual safety and security measures are followed and the usual restrictions and conditions are observed."

The court directed Sandiganbayan Chief Sheriff Edgardo Urieta to coordinate with the PNP in making sure that Estrada will be transported from his resthouse and detention quarters in Tanay, Rizal at 8 a.m. of Dec. 25 directly to the house of his 102-year-old mother, Doña Mary Ejercito, where he will stay until 5 p.m. only.

It also ordered PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon, Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO) director Senior Supt. Romeo Hilomen and Urieta "to take adequate safety and security measures in all movements and disposition of the accused former President and to see to it that the following will be duly complied with:

— The control and supervision of all visitors shall be by the PNP security pursuant to existing pertinent laws and regulations;

— The use of any means of communications and electronic devices (phones, cell phones, etc.) by the accused former President and those within the immediate vicinity of the movement while he is at his mother’s residence in Greenhills, San Juan shall be under the authority of the detailed PNP security; and,

— The media and all other interviews shall be disallowed except upon order of the Court."

According to Rodriguez, the very least the Sandiganbayan could have allowed Estrada a 24-hour overnight pass, considering that his mother remains in guarded medical condition at the San Juan Medical Center.

"We are of course grateful for the court’s consideration, although we had been hoping for the four days requested for since President Estrada’s entire family has been looking forward to spending some time with him," Rodriguez said in a press statement.

Rodriguez added that it was Estrada’s deep concern for his mother that had prompted him to request for a four-day pass.

"(Doña Mary’s) health is very frail and we had all been hoping President Estrada would be given a few days to spend with her because she would certainly have been so happy to be with her favorite son for a little longer," Rodriguez pointed out.

Estrada originally asked for a 10-day Christmas furlough from Dec. 24, 2006 to Jan. 2, 2007.

He said a 10-day uninterrupted furlough would "help save and spare the authorities from the hassle of say two visits on Christmas and New Year."

But should the court find a 10-day leave excessive, Estrada said he was hoping that at the least it would allow him to be out of his resthouse and detention quarters in Tanay, Rizal from Dec. 24 to 27 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 2.

The 69-year-old deposed leader expressed hope that the court would consider his request, "in the spirit of reconciliation."

Rodriguez said that any doubts about Estrada’s sincerity in cooperating with the anti-graft court’s rulings had already been put to rest.

"President Estrada has upheld all his commitments to the court and abided by all its rulings to the letter. Likewise he has shown on several occasions that he is not a flight risk, and we had hoped that all this would be sufficient to grant him a longer Christmas furlough," he said.

Even politicians allied with the Arroyo government have in recent days expressed support for Estrada’s release.

Early this week, Lakas Rep. Constantino Jaraula of Cagayan de Oro City and NPC Rep. Douglas Cagas of Davao del Sur called for Estrada’s release, saying this would jumpstart the administration’s reconciliation efforts with the opposition.

The other day, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza expressed belief that Estrada’s release appeared to be the missing link towards national reconciliation, adding that there was never the slightest indication that Estrada would flee the country to beat the plunder allegations against him.