Estrada faces perjury trial

A judge ordered former Philippines President Joseph Estrada to be arraigned today for perjury, rejecting a last-minute bid by his lawyers to have the charge thrown out and stirring fears his supporters could cause trouble.

Defence lawyer Rene Saguisag had argued Estrada should not be tried for perjury because that allegation would be covered by the charge of economic plunder that the former action film star is to face later.