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Philippines to Pursue Criminal Cases Against Estrada
The Philippine government will pursue corruption cases against Joseph Estrada after the Supreme Court lifts a ban on filing cases against the former president, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said Tuesday.
During a press conference held in the Presidential Palace, Perez said the Department of Justice is waiting for a decision of the Supreme Court which extended a ban on the filing of criminal cases against Estrada before the anti-graft court to become final.
A total of 13 cases involving charges of economic plunder, bribery, illegal commissions or payoffs, and violations of the anti-graft law, have been filed against Estrada and pending before the Ombudsman.
"In fact we expect to prosecute these cases", Perez said, adding that the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice are cooperating with each other on the cases.
Once the case of economic plunder, which is punishable by death, is filed with the anti-graft court, a warrant of arrest could be issued against Estrada.
The Supreme Court ordered on March 20 an indefinite extension of the ban on filing criminal cases against Estrada, who has filed a petition asking the court to stop probe against him saying it would violate the double jeopardy clause of the Constitution because the impeachment trial against him did not result in conviction.
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