Prosecutor wants immediate charges against Estrada

The Philippine Government's top corruption prosecutor is to ask the Supreme Court to lift its 30-day suspension of criminal cases against ousted president Joseph Estrada.

Aniano Desierto wants to file charges immediately.

Mr Desierto, the government ombudsman, said Friday's court ruling that affirmed the legitimacy of Estrada's successor and stripped Estrada of criminal immunity should allow prosecutors to press corruption charges.

But the court has not lifted its suspension, ordered late last month, on the case against Estrada, freezing prosecution until March 22.

The court ordered the freeze last month while it was deliberating on Estrada's petition to declare him the legitimate president. Judges did not lift the suspension after ruling against Estrada on Friday.

"We are ready right now to announce the resolution (of the investigation)," said Mr Desierto.

"We can say what charges we will file and which ones we will not file. I will force the hand of the Supreme Court and demand they lift the order."

Estrada would probably be arrested soon after charges are filed, he said.

Estrada is under investigation on charges of economic plunder, misuse of funds, violations of the anti-graft law, perjury, bribery and possession of unexplained wealth.