NBI probers clear Estrada in mansion controversy

President Estrada has no link with the six controversial mansions in Metro Manila and Tagaytay City which anti-Estrada groups insist belong to him, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

However, acting NBI Director Carlos Caabay told reporters the findings of his agents were "only initial" and the results have been forwarded to the NBI legal division for "further investigation."

Caabay said NBI agents failed to get records to prove that the mansions are owned by the President, and that his signature was not on the documents used to buy them.

Caabay said the contractors also refused to talk with his agents and threatened to sue the agents for harassment if they insisted on their investigation.

Caabay said results of the investigation will not have any bearing on Mr. Estrada’s impeachment trial because the prosecution and the defense have their own investigation teams.

"If they decide to use the NBI’s findings, the trial will drag on as they will have to study every piece of document that we have," he said.

Earlier, the NBI was reported to have summoned former owners of the lots where the mansions stand; as well as suppliers, workers, and security guards to determine if Mr. Estrada actually owns the five mansions in New Manila in Quezon City, Wack Wack Subdivision in Mandaluyong City and Tagaytay City.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim, whom the President ordered to investigate allegations that he owns the mansions, had asked Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero to bring the NBI into the case.

Lim said the NBI has instructions from Tuquero to have the six mansions forfeited in favor of the government if they are found to be ill-gotten.

Last Oct. 22, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) published a series of articles in newspapers accusing Mr. Estrada of using "cronies and lawyers" as fronts to construct the six mansions.