Speedier Erap trial expected

The appointment of a third member to the Sandiganbayan’s special division, which is trying the plunder case against detained President Joseph Estrada, will facilitate the resumption of the hearings on Monday, a prosecutor said.

Chief Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio said he hoped the trial will finally resume on Monday with the designation of Justice Francisco Villaruz the replacement of Justice Minita Chico-Nazario, who was promoted to the Supreme Court on July 14.

The trial has been delayed for over a year since the prosecution rested its case in April 2003.

Villa Ignacio said he "won’t be surprised" if Estrada’s lawyers will move to further delay the trial.

"They will never run out of excuses."