In this photo released by the Philippine National Police ousted Philippine President Joseph Estrada appears in a police booking photo following his arrest on corruption charges in this April 25, 2001 file photo in Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. No matter what the verdict is Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, in Estrada's corruption trial, the Philippine opposition is likely to seize the opportunity to try to rally its dispirited, disjointed followers. (AP Photo/Philippine National Police, File)Philippines' ex-leader convicted
09/11/2007
By PAUL ALEXANDER
Associated Press Writer
MANILA, Philippines—Deposed President Joseph Estrada was convicted and sentenced to life in prison Wednesday after a landmark six-year trial on charges that he took bribes and kickbacks in office.
Estrada, a former action film star who once pulled off the biggest election victory in Philippine history, was ousted in January 2001 by the country's second nonviolent "people power" revolt.
Estrada was convicted of plunder—a capital offense—though the death penalty was recently abolished. He was acquitted of perjury related to allegations he falsely declared his assets.
Estrada's son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and lawyer Eduardo Serapio were co-defendants in the case but were acquitted of plunder charges.
Estrada called the verdict "a political decision" by "a kangaroo court." He was also ordered to forfeit a mansion and more than $15.5 million.
"This is the last chance for the state to show that we can do it, that we can charge, prosecute and convict a public official regardless of his stature," special prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio said. "It shows that our judicial system really works."
Riot police and troops kept hundreds of flag-waving Estrada backers several blocks from the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court in Manila that Estrada inaugurated before he was ousted.
Security also was very tight around the presidential palace as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo worried about a repeat of violent protests that followed Estrada's arrest in April 2001.
Arroyo spokesman Ignacio Bunye appealed for calm.
"We hope and pray that the rule of law will prevail," Bunye said. "Meantime, 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 this goal."
Estrada, who has continued to wear a wristband with the presidential seal in public—said before the verdict that he would appeal a conviction but did not immediately tell the court he would do so.
"This is the only forum where I could tell the Filipino people my innocence," a disappointed Estrada told reporters. "That's why I took a gamble. I thought the rule of law will prevail over here. This is really a kangaroo court. This is a political decision."
Rene Saguisag, one of Estrada's attorneys, added: "In its heart of hearts, it was a case of guilt not proven."
Estrada was accused of illegally amassing about $81 million in bribes and proceeds from illegal gambling, and falsely declaring his assets. The trial ran from October 2001 to June 15.
Estrada has denied the charges and accused Arroyo of masterminding his removal in a conspiracy with leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and senior military officers.
Speaking to The Associated Press just hours before he heard his fate, the 70-year-old Estrada said he was ready for the latest act in his presidency, which he often has called the "last and best performance of my life."
Estrada praised his political power base, the urban poor who reveled in his film roles as underdog heroes.
"I would have been nobody without the masses," he said. "They were there in the past, during my stardom and my presidency, my trial and up to now, even when I was already detained."
Estrada, who earlier rejected any suggestions of a pardon by Arroyo, said he feels he has been acquitted by the populace with the victories of candidates he backed in mid-term elections earlier this year.
With credit for time served in detention, it was unclear when Estrada might be eligible for parole.
———
Associated Press writers Jim Gomez, Oliver Teves, Teresa Cerojano and Hrvoje Hranjski contributed to this report.
Estrada, a former action film star who once pulled off the biggest election victory in Philippine history, was ousted in January 2001 by the country's second nonviolent "people power" revolt.
Estrada was convicted of plunder—a capital offense—though the death penalty was recently abolished. He was acquitted of perjury related to allegations he falsely declared his assets.
Estrada's son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and lawyer Eduardo Serapio were co-defendants in the case but were acquitted of plunder charges.
Estrada called the verdict "a political decision" by "a kangaroo court." He was also ordered to forfeit a mansion and more than $15.5 million.
"This is the last chance for the state to show that we can do it, that we can charge, prosecute and convict a public official regardless of his stature," special prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio said. "It shows that our judicial system really works."
Riot police and troops kept hundreds of flag-waving Estrada backers several blocks from the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court in Manila that Estrada inaugurated before he was ousted.
Security also was very tight around the presidential palace as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo worried about a repeat of violent protests that followed Estrada's arrest in April 2001.
Arroyo spokesman Ignacio Bunye appealed for calm.
"We hope and pray that the rule of law will prevail," Bunye said. "Meantime, 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 this goal."
Estrada, who has continued to wear a wristband with the presidential seal in public—said before the verdict that he would appeal a conviction but did not immediately tell the court he would do so.
"This is the only forum where I could tell the Filipino people my innocence," a disappointed Estrada told reporters. "That's why I took a gamble. I thought the rule of law will prevail over here. This is really a kangaroo court. This is a political decision."
Rene Saguisag, one of Estrada's attorneys, added: "In its heart of hearts, it was a case of guilt not proven."
Estrada was accused of illegally amassing about $81 million in bribes and proceeds from illegal gambling, and falsely declaring his assets. The trial ran from October 2001 to June 15.
Estrada has denied the charges and accused Arroyo of masterminding his removal in a conspiracy with leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and senior military officers.
Speaking to The Associated Press just hours before he heard his fate, the 70-year-old Estrada said he was ready for the latest act in his presidency, which he often has called the "last and best performance of my life."
Estrada praised his political power base, the urban poor who reveled in his film roles as underdog heroes.
"I would have been nobody without the masses," he said. "They were there in the past, during my stardom and my presidency, my trial and up to now, even when I was already detained."
Estrada, who earlier rejected any suggestions of a pardon by Arroyo, said he feels he has been acquitted by the populace with the victories of candidates he backed in mid-term elections earlier this year.
With credit for time served in detention, it was unclear when Estrada might be eligible for parole.
———
Associated Press writers Jim Gomez, Oliver Teves, Teresa Cerojano and Hrvoje Hranjski contributed to this report.
10 comments:
This is Hun Sen and Seihaknouk reflecting from the mirror
This is good lesson for Hun Sen...the most corrupted person in Cambodia's history...
Because he is brutal and corrupted, that why he can hold power long and long...
Hun Sen should consider to step down himself before the misfortune come to his life...
Good wisher to Hun Sen
Just a small example of this ex-president of Phillippines some Cambodians can't understand, and how can they understand the politics in elswhere or in Cambodia?
Comparing Hun Sen and King Sihanouk to Estrada is nonesense.
Phillippines is surrounding by ocean where Cambodia is surrounding by Vietnam, Laos and Thaialnd. Furtheremore China and Vietnam control Cambodia not control Phillippines.
Good wishes for Hun Sen but it won't happen. Because Vietnam said so.
the people who are backing up the deposed president are not even aware of the very reasons why he was convicted. If they did not and do not understand the facts behind his conviction, how can they be objective as to their views about him. Sad to say, Estrada's appeal to the masses was because of his role as an underdog in the movies where he starred in. The masses who are his fans are usually from the unschooled poor, and therefore do not understand the complexities of the accusations against him. If one does not understand what one is fighting for, does that make his fight valid? No!
Many Cambodians still don't know what to do to save their country, beside blaming their King.
They think everything is so simple.
How do they know about President Estrada and how he was convicted, if they don't even know how to appreciate the King who tried to save his country from Vietnam?
These people are the trouble makers barking up the wrong tree.
It looks like ah Hun sen
http://hunsenmafia.blog.com
I can see the future clearly of AH HUN SEN dictator in the picture now!
11:34pm you are just son of the bitch born, only you retarded born that knowing nothing ,don't you know that fifteen more million people plus Cambodian abroad they do not see what you are seeing fool,if Cambodia has 9 more people like you it will erase the whole Cambodia from the wold map,please clean your dirty minded before your king Seihaknouk convicting with the holocaust in Cambodia-and I feel sorry for you that they going to hang you with him,the master crazy dog get kill because it rabies so the puppy will get assassinate too , they are all dog.
Yeass ah Khmer klaing klay 4;13am. if i'm a son of bitch you are a son whore. do mae ah cong chor.
big mouth like you will only end up in presy saw for good. where do you get those million to follow you? dreaming?
ah trouble maker, you won't win for a thousand more years.
ah khmer klaing klay, ban tae bark online ah samkiss.
Where did he get 15 million Khmers?
Where are the intelligent debate?
Not only 9, but most of the people in Cambodia love the King and many outsiders too.
Let them bark. Sure he wil get 15 million people from counting the insects near his house. May be he meant we have to bring more Yuon to add up to 15 millions. May be he is Yuon like you just said trying to cause troubles.
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