MANILA – The Sandiganbayan allowed detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to undergo a knee X-ray despite opposition from the prosecution.

In a three-page minute resolution, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division authorized Estrada to undergo the medical evaluation at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan on Aug. 26.

Estrada is facing plunder and graft charges before the court in connection with an alleged kickback scheme involving flood control projects.

The court ordered that Estrada be accompanied by appropriate security personnel during the procedure and directed him to shoulder all hospital bills, medical fees, transportation and incidental expenses.

He may also be accompanied only by his immediate family, legal counsel and attending medical personnel, aside from the security escorts.

The Sandiganbayan prohibited photography, video recording and social media postings concerning the procedure.

Estrada was ordered to return to the New Quezon City Jail no later than 3 p.m. on Aug. 26.

Knee pain worsened

The court said Estrada had been experiencing joint effusion in both knees and intermittent pain even before his detention.

He had previously been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition that can affect mobility.

More recently, the senator reportedly experienced a flare-up of persistent pain in both knees, making it increasingly difficult for him to walk.

According to the court, Estrada’s wife relayed his condition to his orthopedic physician, Dr. Jose Fernando Syquia, who recommended an X-ray to determine whether his condition had worsened.

The prosecution opposed Estrada’s request to leave the detention facility for the examination.

Instead, prosecutors urged the court to consider having a portable X-ray machine or mobile X-ray clinic brought to the jail.

The Sandiganbayan nevertheless granted Estrada’s request for the medical evaluation at the hospital.