Deposed Philippine president jailed for life

Deposed president Joseph Estrada, who once pulled off the Philippines’ biggest election victory, was sentenced to life in prison today after a landmark six-year trial on charges that he took bribes and kickbacks in office.

Estrada was convicted of plunder – a capital offence – 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.

Estrada, who called the verdict “a political decision” by “a kangaroo court,” also was ordered to forfeit a mansion and more than 731 million pesos (€11.4m), plus interest, that were deposited into two bank accounts.

“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.”

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.

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.

Arroyo spokesman Ignacio Bunye appealed for calm.

“We hope and pray that the rule of law will prevail,” Bunye said. “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 this goal.”

Two co-defendants – Estrada’s son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, and lawyer Eduardo Serapio – were acquitted of all charges during the 10-minute court hearing.

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 against a conviction. He has 15 days to do so.

“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 lawyers, added: “In its heart of hearts, it was a case of guilt not proven.”

Estrada was accused of illegally amassing about 4 billion pesos (£40.5million) in 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.