3 more witnesses readied vs Estrada

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is readying at least three more witnesses and another corruption-related charge against deposed President Joseph Estrada who allegedly earned at least P36 billion from various government transactions during his 30 months in office.

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said a businessman and two former government officials have agreed to corroborate the testimony of Estrada’s friend and former adviser Mark Jimenez who has decided to be a witness against him.

Estrada was ousted Jan. 20 in a popular revolt. He is now under investigation for six criminal charges: economic plunder, misuse of funds, violations of the anti-graft law, perjury, bribery and possession of unexplained wealth.

Perez said he would soon meet the lawyers of the three potential witnesses, whom he declined to identify. The three reportedly would support the testimony of Jimenez and comprise a new case of economic plunder, or stealing from the State, against Estrada.

The new plunder charge could be filed this week, Perez said. A missing bank check to be used as an evidence is one cause of delays in filing the case, originally scheduled for last Friday, he added.

The DOJ issued an order last month barring Estrada and 23 other people, including his wife and other members of his family, from leaving the country during the investigation.

Perez said the DOJ has already uncovered several vital evidence that would support at least two plunder charges against Estrada. He said bank checks and other documents would show that Estrada earned billions of pesos from various transactions during his reign.

"We are tying up loose ends and arranging the supporting documents," he said.

Perez declined to say whether the testimonies of the three potential witnesses would be related to the merger of Equitable and PCI banks, or the buyout by Metro Pacific of telecommunications giant PLDT, which both happened under Estrada’s watch.

He also did not say if they are linked to the manipulation in the prices of stocks of BW Resources, an anomaly widely believed to have enriched the former president.

A number of parties have separately filed plunder charges against Estrada for allegedly accumulating billions while in office.

They include the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), the Graft-free Philippines, lawyers groups CLEAR, CLAMOR and OUSTER, two private lawyers and former Tourism Secretary Jose Antonio Gonzales.

The charges – which carry a maximum penalty of death – are now with the Ombudsman.

Ombudsman Aniano Desierto said Estrada’s claim that he is still immune from suit is a "mere wish, a pretension and fantastic theory."

In an 18-page comment, Desierto said the "inescapable reality" is that Mrs. Arroyo is now the president and that under the Constitution, others claiming to be the Chief Executive are considered "usurpers."

Estrada alleged that since he has not officially tendered his resignation, he is still technically the president and that he still enjoys immunity from suit.

But Desierto stressed that such is not the case. "His claim to presidency is but a wish overwhelmed easily by the currents of political realities," he said.

Meanwhile, Perez said he will seek a clearance from the Supreme Court to allow a full media coverage of Estrada’s trial should the plunder charges against him be formally filed with the Sandiganbayan.

"These cases are of public interest, and the media should be allowed to cover them," he said.

Perez stressed that the people have the right to know the developments of the plunder charges. "A public trial is necessary to allow the people to know what’s happening," he said.

Should the charges be elevated to the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman will officially serve as prosecutor. However, Perez said that since the Ombudsman is short of lawyers, the DOJ will be assisting it.

"We shall assist Ombudsman (Aniano) Desierto. Chief Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño and myself will personally handle the case," he said.