MANILA-Former President Joseph Estrada had a warm reunion with his 102-year-old mother, Dona Mary Ejercito, at her house in North Greenhills, San Juan, Nov. 7. Estrada, 69, accompanied by his wife, Sen. Luisa Ejercito, brought his favorite lechon and fresh vegetables harvested from the resthouse in Tanay, Rizal where he is under detention.
The deposed president was flown by helicopter to a private helipad along Ortigas Avenue then driven, escorted by a convoy of police vehicles, to his mother’s house on 82 Kennedy Street.
Arriving at 9:15 a.m., Estrada was
welcomed by his mother who called his name twice to the delight of the former
president. The Estrada matriarch also recognized her grandsons, Sen. Jinggoy
Estrada and San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, who joined relatives in welcoming their
father.
“His mother has been bedridden for a long
time but she appears lively after seeing him. Even her skin tone seems to have
improved,” said Estrada’s spokesman Ferdie Ramos.
Senator Estrada told reporters that his
grandmother was so happy to see the former president.
Estrada did not answer questions from
reporters, going straight to the kitchen where he cooked pinangat na kanduli sa
alagaw, a favorite dish of his mother. Ramos said the fresh kanduli was caught
in Laguna de Bay.
Ramos added that Estrada even sang for
his mother while he was cooking.
“He (Estrada) is just complying with the
orders of the court not to grant any media interviews while he is visiting his
mother. This is not his last visit after all. He values his time with his
mother more,” said Ramos.
He said that last Sunday night, Jesse
Ejercito, the former president’s youngest brother, told their mother about the
one-day visit. This apparently invigorated the ailing Estrada matriarch.
“When she learned that he will come over
for a visit, she began to eat.
The whole family was surprised. It is
surprising that she is lucid," Ramos said.
While Estrada was inside his mother’s
house, heavily-armed members of the Police Security and Protection Office
(PSPO) were posted around the mansion.
Estrada last saw his mother during her
102nd birthday last May. That birthday party was hosted by Estrada at his
mansion along Polk Street
in the same subdivision.
The former president was supposed to
leave his resthouse at 8 a.m. but his departure was delayed because the Air
Transportation Office was late issuing the authorization for the helicopter’s
flight.
Although the court had ordered the police
to screen all of Estrada’s visitors, Ramos said opposition leaders managed to
pass through the police checkpoint and meet Estrada.
Among those who managed to get an
audience with Estrada were Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Sen. Alfredo Lim,
former senators Tito Sotto, Tessie
Aquino-Oreta and Francisco Tatad. Also seen visiting Estrada were Members of
his Cabinet, including Jose Pardo and Benjamin Diokno.
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