Atong Ang now under house arrest

Controversial businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang, who is facing plunder charges along with ousted President Joseph Estrada and several others, was released from jail yesterday after a court in Las Vegas, Nevada allowed him to post bail of $300,000.

Sources in Estrada’s camp, who are privy to Ang’s case, said yesterday Ang’s friends raised the $300,000 so he could be placed under house arrest.

Ang was allowed to leave jail for his house in Nevada at around 11 a.m., Manila time, after his friends used their properties as guarantees for the $300,000 bond, sources added.

Last November, US District Magistrate Lawrence Leabitt in Las Vegas granted Ang’s plea for house arrest on condition that he would post a $300,000 bail.

In granting Ang’s request, the court said the accusations against Ang were based solely on "the uncorroborated claims of a clearly corrupt public official."

The government has accused Ang of conniving with Estrada to skim P130 million in tobacco excise taxes for Ilocos Sur based on the testimony of former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson during Estrada’s impeachment trial in 2000, which had been discontinued.

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Ang in a casino in Last Vegas for violating immigration laws after the Philippine government had canceled his passport.

A US court will hear in June next year the proceedings for Ang’s extradition to the Philippines.

The Sandiganbayan special division chaired by acting Presiding Justice Minita Chico-Nazario is trying the plunder case against Estrada, his son Jinggoy, and his former lawyer, Edward Serapio.–Jose Rodel Clapano