Supreme Court Begins Hearing on Estrada PetitionsThe Philippine Supreme Court on Thursday began hearing petitions filed by ousted president Joseph Estrada questioning the legitimacy of his successor, President Gloria Arroyo, officials said.Security was stepped up around the court as competing groups of pro- and anti-Estrada demonstrators staged rallies outside, journalists at the scene said. Riot police with bomb-sniffing dogs formed a line to secure the court building while anti-Estrada protesters chanted "Arrest Erap" (Estrada's nickname) and waved placards showing Estrada as "public enemy number one." The hearing was open to only selected parties, including witnesses and reporters. Vehicles were restricted from entering the street in front of the court building, which was accessible only to those with special passes. Estrada's petitions argue that Arroyo, installed following a military-backed, popular revolt that toppled him on January 20, was only serving in an acting capacity. Estrada is also insisting that he is still covered by presidential immunity against corruption charges that the Arroyo government is readying against him, including the non-bailable offense of "plunder" which is punishable by death. Amid mounting street protests against his rule, the corruption-tainted Estrada left the presidential palace on January 20, giving way to his vice-president Arroyo. However, he never signed a resignation letter and has since insisted that Arroyo was only serving as president temporarily. |
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