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Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Estrada rebuffs kickback charges
MANILA (Updated 2:00 p.m.) -- Ousted President Joseph Estrada sharply denied Wednesday that he took huge kickbacks in office, defending himself against capital charges of plunder and defiantly telling an anti-graft court that he was framed.
With hundreds of his backers rallying outside, the testimony capped five years of court proceedings that he hopes will vindicate him after the actor-turned-politician was toppled in a 2001 "people power" revolt.
"These are trumped-up charges, a frame-up," the 68-year-old Estrada said when questioned about kickback allegations.
"That's a pack of lies," he added when asked about an allegation that he sought kickbacks from tobacco excise taxes in one province. "I don't have the conscience to steal money intended for farmers."
Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson alleged he delivered P130 million in tobacco excise tax to Estrada in his house in San Juan.
Singson, instrumental in exposing Estrada's alleged links to illegal gambling, was present in Wednesday's hearing.
Estrada also denied maintaining a close relationship with Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson who exposed his alleged links to illegal gambling that lead to his downfall after massive anti-corruption protests
Estrada denied being close to Singson saying a close friends is sincere, trustworthy and loyal and Singson does not have one of them.
The former president said he only had one close friend and that was the late Fernando Poe Jr.
During a break at the heavily guarded Sandiganbayan anti-graft court, Estrada told ANC television that he was hoping for a fair trial. "This is all political, you know," he said.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye countered that the government has been fair.
"The fact that former President Joseph Estrada was taking the witness stand is a clear proof that due process has been strictly observed in his case," Bunye said in a statement. "We call on all the sectors concerned to refrain from speculating as to the outcome of the trial and just let justice take its inexorable course."
The day turned into a slow slog as lawyers tangled over procedural technicalities and court clerks scoured voluminous files for bits of evidence. At one point, Estrada closed his eyes and appeared on the verge of dozing off.
Estrada was shown a check and Land Bank of the Philippines documents allegedly covering the transfer of P130 million (US$2.5 million; euro2 million) worth of tobacco excise tax kickbacks from Ilocos Sur province to Estrada's camp.
"It's the first time I'm seeing this. I have no knowledge of this, your honor," Estrada replied.
His testimony was later adjourned for a week.
Estrada draped himself in symbolic patriotism, wearing a native Barong shirt, a Philippine flag lapel pin and his trademark white wristband with the presidential seal.
"I have mixed feelings. I welcome this opportunity to present my side because I was denied that right in the impeachment trial when prosecutors walked out," Estrada testified. "I was convicted in the streets."
Estrada's impeachment trial broke down in January 2001 when prosecutors were barred from presenting what they called a critical piece of evidence. Within hours, people massed for protests that forced him to leave the presidential palace.
Prosecutors allege Estrada amassed about P4 billion (US$77 million; euro63 million) in illegal gambling payoffs, tax kickbacks and commissions stashed in secret bank accounts under the alias "Jose Velarde." He also faces a perjury charge for allegedly underreporting his assets in 1999.
"We expect justice to be rendered fairly," said Dante Jimenez, an anti-crime activist who sat inside the packed courtroom. "If there is a perception that it's not, the danger is this might again divide the nation and cause trouble. The country will be watching."
The protests that forced Estrada to step down were partly led by then-Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who completed the remainder of his six-year term then won the 2004 election.
He blames his ouster on a "conspiracy of the elite, church leaders and thieving politicians." Estrada's camp on Tuesday released a 20-minute video which claimed the prosecution relied on paid witnesses and failed to prove its case.
Also attending the trial were Estrada's two sons - including co-defendant Sen. Jinggoy Estrada - his wife, Sen. Loi Ejercito, and his daughter.
"I am 100 percent sure he will lie. But he is an actor. He can very well fake it," Singson said.
Mostly portraying roles as an underdog champion of the poor, Estrada parlayed his massive popularity into a springboard to a landslide election victory in 1998, pledging that the presidency would be "the greatest performance of my life."
Estrada's reversal of fortune was as dramatic as his more than 100 films. Many of his followers hope for an end like those in his movies, where he emerges from near-death ordeals to triumph.
The trial started in October 2001. The prosecution rested two years later after presenting 76 witnesses and more than 1,500 pieces of evidence. Estrada's lawyers say he is their 79th and final witness.
Estrada has been at the heart of Arroyo's political troubles. Thousands of his followers tried to storm the presidential palace in May 2001 in what she called a failed power grab. Six died in the rioting. Estrada also has been linked to coup plots.
Estrada told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he would be ready for a political comeback if he is acquitted.(AP/Sunnex)
(March 22, 2006 issue)
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