Throughout trial, Erap is ‘Mr. President’

Jailed former President Joseph Estrada may never regain his post, but the Sandiganbayan said courtesy dictates that he must be addressed as "Mr. President" while standing trial for a host of corruption charges.

"Courtesy does not deprive this court of his previous position. This is an act of courtesy. This does not contradict the Supreme Court decision which recognized the present administration," Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Francis Garchitorena said yesterday.

Amid the solemnity of the proceedings during Estrada’s arraignment yesterday on a perjury case, there were instances of comic relief.

Former Chief Justice Andres Narvasa, a member of the defense panel, almost got a tongue-lashing in open court when he was caught yawning.

"We have rules of decorum in this court, Chief Justice," Garchitorena reminded the sleepy counsel.

A television cameraman was more unfortunate. He was locked up in the anti-graft court’s detention cell for more than an hour for taking video footage of Garchitorena.

Tim Alipalo, cameraman of the Associated Press Television Network, was offered food while at the detention cell, but preferred his release instead.

Somehow, Garchitorena, reputedly a terror in the courtroom, found himself at the receiving end of his own rules.

While trial is in progress, any form of disturbance, no matter how small, is a big no-no.

Hence, all cellular phones within the courtroom must be shut off or put in silent mode.

It appeared, however, that Garchitorena neglected to abide by his own rule, and his cellphone rang, eliciting suppressed laughter from the gallery.

"Well, pardon me for it seems I violated my own rule," an apologetic magistrate said. –Jose Rodel Clapano