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Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Estrada to appeal guilty verdict
MANILA (3rd Update, 2:30 p.m.) -- Deposed President Joseph Estrada, who was found guilty of plunder charges and sentenced to life in prison, will file a motion for reconsideration before the Sandiganbayan within 15 days.
Estrada was convicted of plunder - a capital offense - though the death penalty was recently abolished. He was acquitted of perjury for allegedly falsely declaring his assets. With credit for time served in detention, it was unclear when he might be eligible for parole.
Decision on Estrada's Plunder case
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The deposed president, who called the verdict "a political decision" by "a kangaroo court," also was ordered to forfeit more than P500 million deposited into the Erap Muslim Youth Foundation account, P189 million in the Jose Velarde account as well as the New Manila house and lot known as the Boracay mansion.
The former president was reportedly calm when he heard the verdict.
Representative Didagen Dilangalen, Estrada’s spokesman said the former president was very calm when the decision was read. “As matter of fact when the presiding justice was asking his lawyers about the matter on the place of detention, he called one of his lawyers, Rene Saguisag to inform the court that he will abide by any decision of the Sandiganbayan with regards to his place of detention which could be at his Tanay estate which he is presently detained or in Muntinlupa,” Dilangalen said in a television interview.
Malacanang in reaction to the verdict calls for sobriety. “We bow to the decision of the Sandiganbayan. We hope and pray that the rule of law will prevail. 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 these goals, Palace Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.
"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."
Two co-defendants - Estrada's son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and lawyer Eduardo Serapio - were acquitted of all charges during the 10-minute court hearing.
Estrada’s six-year plunder trial came to a swift end Wednesday morning as the Sandiganbayan dispense the reading of the details of the promulgation and chose to go straight to the verdict. The court’s decision was upon the motion made by Estrada’s legal counsel. Should the whole decision was read the promulgation could have lasted for five hours.
Estrada, who has often called his presidency the "last and best performance of my life" and continued to wear a wristband with the presidential seal in public, said before the verdict that he would appeal a conviction.
"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 P4 billion (US$81 million; euro62 million) 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.
"Let the Estrada verdict serve as a stern warning against the current occupants of Malacanang who may end up with the same fate," the leftist group Bayan said in a statement. "The president and her close associates have been accused of systematic corruption on a far bigger scale than Estrada."
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.
Jinggoy Estrada had predicted some kind of conviction for his father.
"If they'll acquit him, the first question of the people would be, what will happen to the sitting president?" he said during an interview with dzBB radio, referring to Arroyo being sworn in as Estrada left the presidential palace.
"Her legitimacy would be questioned again. A lot of things would have to be undone if that happens. So in my opinion, they will really convict ... even without evidence."
Charito Guinto stood in front of the court building, clutching a picture frame containing photos of Estrada and his friend Fernando Poe Jr., who finished second to Arroyo in the 2004 election and died of a stroke months later.
"Erap is really innocent," the 57-year-old Guinto said, referring to Estrada by his nickname. "If the verdict is guilty, people will not stop from rallying to open the eyes of the justices."
Riot police and troops kept hundreds of flag-waving Estrada backers several blocks from the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court in Manila, which the former action film star inaugurated before he was ousted in January 2001 by the country's second "people power" revolt.
Estrada’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) also tied yellow ribbons on posts and trees along Shaw Boulevard, symbolizing calls for the deposed president’s freedom. Posters of messages seeking Estrada’s liberty are also plastered on walls along the boulevard as well.
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.(Sunnex/AP)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (September 12, 2007 issue)
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