Amenities ordered for Estrada, Jinggoy

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered certain amenities to be granted to former leader Joseph Estrada and his son Jinggoy in prison, after both were arrested on Wednesday and charged with plunder.

"I have instructed the department of interior and local government to provide all amenities due and befitting the former president and his son, San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada. Let it be said that this government is sensitive to the needs of the former head of state," said Arroyo, in a statement read by spokesman, Rigoberto Tiglao.

After a day in court, Estrada complained of having to eat burgers and coke for his first dinner in jail. He rued the fact that he was unable to get to eat some of his favourite home-cooked dishes.

"The policemen guarding me are afraid of being criticised by the media which will say I'm being given a special deal if I'm allowed to get food from home. That is why I will eat anything given me here. There is no special treatment. Even the food is served in plastic." "That's life in prison. Hard. I never thought, not even in a dream, that I would be in prison," said Estrada, about his life in jail.

He also complained of being in an air-conditioning unit that "spewed out hot air". His cell was small, he said, measuring 15 square metres. There was no television set or cell phone. "I'm quite sad because of what happened to me. I'm being oppressed and harassed unnecessarily. I still have the confidence that I can fight for myself and defend the constitution at the same time," said Estrada.

On the Supreme Court's ruling which stripped him of his power and upheld Arroyo's presidency, he said: "It's so obvious that they planned all this." Reacting to the arrest of Jinggoy, Estrada said: "I don't know why he was arrested. They are destroying my family."

Asked if Mrs. Estrada would have been arrested also, the former president said: "They planned that but probably changed their minds. Despite all this, my spirit is strong," Estrada called Arroyo's administration cruel.

Delon Porcalla Our Manila Correspondent adds: Former leader Joseph Estrada will need a year to post bail and request house arrest, the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court said yesterday.

The court's presiding justice, Francis Garchitorena, said Estrada may not stay in jail for long since the law provides the right to bail as a fundamental right. This despite the crime of plunder being non-bailable.

"The lawyers of the former president may file a petition to fix bail but it cannot be made immediately. The third division will set the case for arraignment and after it has done so, it will set the case for pre-trial and proceed to hear the evidence of the prosecution. If there is less than strong evidence, then he is entitled to bail," said Garchitorena.