Estrade charged with plunder, graft

Ousted Philippines president Joseph Estrada, his wife and son and a number of close business associates were yesterday charged on eight counts of plunder and corruption by Philippines ombudsman Aniano Desierto.

Estrada is expected to face arrest and imprisonment at suburban Quezon City jail, newly refurbished for the event. Plunder is a non-bailable offence which carries a death sentence.
Plunder - illegal accumulation of more than 50 million pesos ($1 million) while in office - is a capital crime, however it is considered highly unlikely Estrada would get the death penalty.

The Philippines' anti-graft court, the Sandiganbayan, must now decide whether the charges are solid enough to issue an arrest warrant for Estrada. No decision was expected in the next few days. "I am very disappointed. I am extremely sad because I have done every legal remedy on this problem," said Estrada who appeared lean, tired, and unhappy.

Estrada is expected to make some moves to prevent his incarceration which could damage his party's candidates in May 14 polls. Senator Miriam Santiago warned: "There would be a civil war, people would rally to Estrada if he is arrested." She called for house arrest instead, adding that a former president should be accorded respect.