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Estrada Plunder Trial Timelime

January 22, 2001 – Ombudsman Aniano Desierto created a five-man panel to investigate charges of plunder, perjury and graft against the deposed President Joseph Estrada, his family members and business allies.

January 23, 2001 – The Department of Justice was ordered to issue a hold-departure order against Estrada, San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, former executive secretary Ronaldo Zamora, former Budget secretary Benjamin Diokno, former presidential legislative liaison officer Jimmy Policarpio, and Senators John Osmena and Teresita Aquino-Oreta after graft charges were filed against them.

January 30, 2001 - Justice Secretary Hernani Perez bared that Mark Jimenez is the justice department’s latest witness against Estrada.

February 1, 2001 – Estrada given 72 hours by the Ombudsman to file counter-affidavit on graft charges filed against him.

February 6, 2001 -- The Supreme Court rejected Estrada’s petition to temporarily stop the Ombudsman’s plunder probe.

February 20, 2001 – The Supreme Court issued a 30-day temporary restraining order on the Ombudsman’s plunder probe against Estrada.

March 2, 2001 – The SC upholds the legitimacy of the Arroyo presidency.

March 5, 2001 – The Ombudsman asks SC to lift 30-day TRO so it could continue the plunder investigation.

April 3, 2001 – The High Court, voting 13-0, junked the appeal of Estrada on its earlier decision affirming the legitimacy of Arroyo’s presidency.

April 4, 2001 – Estrada was indicted on plunder charges. Corruption charges against Senators Osmena and Oreta were dropped while the Ombudsman gave Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson immunity from suit being the state witness in the plunder case.

April 16, 2001 -- The Sandiganbayan orders Estrada's arrest after finding probable cause to try him on charges that he pocketed P130 million in tobacco excise tax kickbacks and for lying about his wealth while in office.

April 25, 2001 – Policemen arrested the former president at his residence in Polk Street, North Greenhills in San Juan at 3:15 p.m. His supporters gathered at the EDSA Shrine hours after his arrest.

April 26, 2001 – More Estrada loyalists gathered at the Edsa Shrine despite dispersal threats by the Philippine National Police.

May 1, 2001 -- Estrada's supporters trooped to Malacanang in an attempt to unseat Arroyo. One was reported killed and scores were wounded in the riot. President Arroyo declared certain places in Metro Manila in a state of rebellion.

June 9, 2001 – The anti-graft court denied Estrada's petition to be put under house arrest.

June 27, 2001 - Estrada was arraigned and declined to enter a plea in his perjury case.

July 10, 2001 – Estrada’s son Jinggoy and lawyer Edward Serapio refuse to enter their pleas on plunder charges.

March 22, 2006 -- The deposed president testified in his five-year-old plunder case at the Sandiganbayan.

March 29, 2006 -- Estrada denied pocketing P130 million in tobacco taxes and accused Singson of stealing state funds.

May 3, 2006 – Erap was allowed by the Sandiganbayan to return home to attend the 101st birthday celebration of his mother, Dona Mary, at No. 1 Polk Street in North Greenhills, San Juan.

May 24, 2006 -- The former president told the anti-graft court that businessman Jaime Dichaves owned the infamous "Jose Velarde" account, which allegedly contained as much as P3.2 billion. However, he admitted signing bank documents using the name of Jose Velarde.

June 28, 2006 -- The prosecution ended its cross-examination without dealing thoroughly with the four complaints lodged against the deposed president.

August 30, 2006 – Estrada’s legal counsels submit as evidence before the Sandiganbayan a copy of President Arroyo's statement of assets and liabilities and net worth (SALN). They said Arroyo’s SALN is similar to that of Estrada and argued that he did not commit perjury.

November 15, 2006 – The Sandiganbayan entered a not guilty plea for Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang after he refused to enter a plea during his arraignment on plunder charges.

January 24, 2007 – Ang asked for a plea bargaining agreement. He admits participation in the diversion of P130 million in tobacco excise tax intended for Ilocos Sur.

March 14, 2007 – The anti-graft court granted Ang’s plea bargaining agreement.

May 25, 2007 – Ang was ordered released and placed under probation. He was ordered to pay P25 million and participate in community service.

June 15, 2007 – The prosecution and the defense presented their final arguments in Estrada's plunder trial.

Sept. 12, 2007 – Sandiganbayan to hand down verdict on Estrada’s plunder trial.

Source: Sun.Star Network Online Archive