 | MANILA - Ousted President Joseph Estrada March 22 denied 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. At the same time, Estrada said Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, who alleged that the former leader benefited from the tobacco excise tax, was never a close friend but a mere “political ally.” The testimony by Estrada capped five years of court proceedings that he hoped would vindicate him after he was toppled in a 2001 “people power” revolt.
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The court adjourned after Estrada’s lawyers presented evidence that bore the wrong markings, prompting Associate Justice Francisco Villaruz to call their at-
tention because both the justices and the prosecution could not follow their presentation. The court set Estrada’s testimony on March 29 at 9 a.m.
“These are trumped-up charges, a frame-up,” the 68- year-old Estrada said when questioned about the kickback allegations. “That’s a pack of lies,” he said,
adding, “I don’t have the conscience to steal money intended for farmers.” “Since I was mayor, senator, vice president, my name was never dragged into any
anomaly-accepting percentage from any government transactions-what more when I became President,” Estrada said.
During a break at the heavily guarded Sandiganbayan antigraft 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.” At the Sandiganbayan, 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.
Defense lawyers, led by Jose Flaminiano, blamed the clerk of court for giving them the wrong exhibits. Estrada was shown a check and Land Bank of the
Philippines documents allegedly covering the transfer of 130 million pesos worth of tobacco excise tax kickbacks from Ilocos Sur to Estrada’s camp.
“It’s the first time I’m seeing this. I have no knowledge of this, your honor,” Estrada replied. Estrada also said that that the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. was
his “only close friend” while Singson was a mere “political ally.” At the same time, Estrada admitted that even while Charlie “Atong” Ang was his friend, he
said he told the businessman to distance himself from the presidency because of his alleged bad reputation. Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio said they
were expecting a “big bang” but was disappointed. “His testimony did not even spark a firecracker,” Villa-Ignacio said.
“It is obvious that they are not prepared. They did not do their homework. They have admitted it when they asked for a continuance,” he added. He added that
Estrada’s testimony failed to debunk the credibility of Singson. Villa-Ignacio said not only the Sandiganbayan but even the Nevada Court in the US had seen the
strength of Singson’s testimony when it ordered the arrest Ang, Estrada’s co-accused in the plunder case.
Estrada, wearing a native Barong shirt, was smiling when he arrived at about 8:30 a.m. at the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in Quezon City to testify in his
trial for the first time.He appeared relaxed and waved to supporters who packed the courtroom, including high school classmates and fans. A throng of
journalists and cameramen jostled outside the courthouse to interview or record the former movie action star, who remains hugely popular among the poor
in the Philippines.
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