Estrada allegedly had a share in ransom

The French hostages of the Abu Sayyaf complained in their home court about ex-Philippine president Joseph Estrada because they believed he had a share in the estimated $25 million ransom payment for the release of some 40 hostages in the southern Philippines in 2000, President Gloria Arroyo said.

"He was sued because they suspect he had a share of the ransom. I don't get a share of the ransom because I don't pay ransom," Arroyo said in a radio interview.

"As president, what's important is to do one's job to the best of his ability and God will take care of the rest. If you do something fishy, then you will have to answer for that after your term."

Estrada's former Secretary, Roberto Aventajado, who was appointed as government negotiator, was reported to have told Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang to increase his ransom demand for the release of his 40 hostages two years ago.

Twenty of them were taken from a resort in Sipadan, Sabah, Borneo on April 23, 2000, and the rest were abducted separately from Jolo, Sulu from July to August 2000.

When the damaging report was made by Asiaweek, a defunct regional news magazine, Aventajado vowed to file a libel case, but this did not prosper at all.

That report was followed by unconfirmed allegations that Aventajado gave a portion of the ransom money to some "top officials".