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Estrada's Petition for Presidency Legitimacy to Be Ruled
The Philippines' Supreme Court is likely to rule in 10 days on a petition by deposed President Joseph Estrada seeking to declare himself as the country's duly elected president who enjoys immunity from suit.
The Supreme Court is considering Estrada's dual petition which claims that he is the legitimate president and Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo only "acting" president, Supreme Court spokesperson Ismael Khan said Tuesday.
Khan announced that the court will issue its ruling on Estrada' s petition within 10 days from Tuesday, the local news channel ABS- CBN reported.
Arroyo replaced corruption-tainted Estrada in a military-backed popular uprising. The Supreme Court administered her oath-taking on January 20 without issuing a resolution on the vacancy of presidency.
Estrada insisted he didn't resign and is just on leave, and according to the Constitution, the then Vice President Arroyo was able to exercise the power as acting president.
If the Supreme Court rules in favor of Estrada, he can escape from punishment in the economic plunder cases due to presidential immunity.
Estrada is being investigated by the Ombudsman for alleged corruption, bribery, perjury and economic plunder, the last punishable by death.
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