http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/13/yehey/top_stories/20070913top1.html Thursday, September 13, 2007
Joseph Estrada convicted of plunder GUILTY Six years of trial boiled down to these words: "Guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of plunder. . . ." That was the verdict given to former President Joseph Estrada on Wednesday by a special division of the Sandiganbayan, the country's antigraft court. The court acquitted him of perjury, which is a lesser crime. For plunder, the court sentenced Estrada to life imprisonment. It also acquitted the co-accused, lawyer Edward Serapio and the president's son, Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada. The proceedings Wednesday wound up a six-year trial that Estrada, 70, had repeatedly insisted was politically motivated. The Court also confiscated more than P734 million deposited in the Jose Velarde account and the Erap Muslim Youth Foundation. The court also seized the so-called Boracay Mansion in New Manila, Quezon City. Estrada slumped in his chair as the verdict was read and later vowed to appeal. "I disagree with the findings and conclusions of the court. These conclusions, however, did not come as a surprise to us," he said, urging his supporters to stay calm. Estrada said the verdict "appeared to be a political move" that came after pressure from his arch-rival and successor, current President Arroyo. "Against the advice of my friends I submitted myself to the judiciary believing that the case would be tried on its merits," he said before being flown by helicopter back to his luxurious compound, where he will remain under house arrest for now. The case has marked a bitter chapter in Philippine politics that began when the onetime action hero was ousted from power in 2001, a move that led to violent street protests. Estrada has accused the business elite, President Arroyo and the powerful Roman Catholic church of conspiring against him because of his populist platform. He said on Tuesday that he had twice rejected offers from Arroyo to clear his name in exchange for his voluntary exile. Senator Estrada said his family was shocked by the decision, as he maintained his father's innocence. Referring to ex-President Estrada, the senator said, "He is a good man, and he has done nothing wrong." Another son of Estrada, San Juan City Mayor JV Ejercito, cried when the guilty verdict was read. "He doesn't deserve to be treated this way," the mayor said, adding that he believes his father is innocent according to public opinion. Ejercito also vows to carry on the legal battle. Estrada's lawyers plan to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, President Arroyo welcomed the verdict and said the "rule of law" should prevail. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said, "We have a country to run, an economy to grow and a peace to win. We hope that this sad episode in our history will not permanently distract us from these goals." The financial markets welcomed the verdict. As the expected huge crowds of pro-Estrada protesters failed to materialize, investors discounted political turbulence and drove up the value of the peso as well as listed shares. Outside the court several hundred people stood in the rain waving flags and banners in support of the deposed leader, who remains hugely popular among much of the nation's disfranchised. "That is not the will of the poor. He is my president," cried street vendor Loretta Barrias, 55, as colleagues calmed her down. "He is the people's president, set him free!" Estrada, who made his name in more than 100 movies over three decades, cultivated an image of the everyday man who spoke in fractured English and was a champion of the poor. When he was elected in 1998, it was with the largest margin in Philippine presidential history. When he was ousted three years later, thousands of people laid siege to the presidential palace to reinstate him. Mrs. Arroyo called in troops to quash what she later said was an uprising aimed at toppling the government. Four people died in that incident, while over 100 were arrested. Thousands of troops were on high alert Wednesday and extra forces placed on standby in military bases around Manila to aid police if necessary. Schools near the court were ordered closed, and President Arroyo was advised by her security staff to remain in the palace. --AFP with Jomar Canlas [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
