Estrada loyalist charged with rebellion charge

A top loyalist of deposed president Joseph Estrada was yesterday charged by a regional court in Manila with rebellion in connection with the failed siege of the presidential palace on May 1.

Ronald Lumbao, the feisty president of the pro-Estrada group, People's Movement Against Poverty (PMAP), was slapped with the "non-bailable" offence as the court announced that a warrant for his arrest will be issued soon.

Asked why the charges came five months late, Justice Undersecretary Jose Calida said that a preliminary investigation on the charges was necessary and this only meant Lumbao was accorded due process as any ordinary respondent in a criminal case would be given.

State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco who handled the case, said he summoned Lumbao thrice to get his explanation on the issue but he ignored all requests for his appearance. He said he had no recourse but to file the charges because the evidence remain unchallenged.

"He agitated the crowds by telling them that the Arroyo administration does not care for their plight and only Estrada could save them from poverty. He even urged them not to recognise her as president," he wrote in his 10-page resolution.

Calida and Velasco said similar suits will be filed against Estrada's son Jose Victor "JV", actor John Regala, former Press Secretary Ricardo "Dong" Puno, Jamby Madrigal, Sen. Tito Sotto and Congressman Agapito Aquino.

Among the witnesses were freelance reporter Joel Amongo and two intelligence agents each from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.