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Philippine Supreme Court Denies Desierto's Petition
The Philippine Supreme Court denied Tuesday the petition of Ombudsman Aniano Desierto to lift the 30- day order barring his office from filing charges against ex- president Joseph Estrada.
The high court said in its ruling that Desierto may file the formal charges against Estrada before the anti-graft court called "Sandiganbayan" by March 23 at the earliest.
On Monday Desierto filed a motion with the Supreme Court asking the court to lift the 30-day order restraining the Ombudsman from filing criminal charges against Estrada.
"If the Supreme Court lifts the order, then we could come up with a resolution as soon as possible," Desierto said.
Desierto's office is investigating a host of corruption-related charges against Estrada, including economic plunder which carries death penalty.
The 30-day restraining order was issued by the Supreme Court on February 20, barring Desierto's office from filing charges against Estrada before March 22.
Desierto's petition was filed three days after the Supreme Court reached a unanimous decision upholding the legitimacy of Arroyo's presidency.
The Supreme Court said last Friday that Estrada effectively resigned when he left the presidential palace on January 20 when he was toppled by mass protest rallies.
On February 5, Estrada filed a petition before the Supreme Court, saying that he is just "merely on a leave of absence from the office of the President," and still enjoys presidential immunity.
Estrada also urged the court to announce Arroyo as Acting President and stop the ongoing investigation by the Ombudsman on his criminal charges.
Reports said Manila has ordered the military and police and relevant government agencies to watch closely the movements of Estrada lest he flee the country to escape prosecution.
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