Manila Won't Meddle in Estrada Cases: SpokesmanThe Philippine government will not meddle in the prosecution of graft cases at the anti-graft court, which include plunder filed against former President Joseph Estrada, a presidential spokesman said Monday.The newly-appointed presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao told a press briefing that the suggestion that the government should keep out of Estrada cases is right, "because the Sandiganbayan (the name of anti-graft curt) is a totally different constitutional body." He said what the government is doing is simply letting the Sandiganbayan and the Office of the Ombudsman do their work to bring out the truth and execute justice. As to the schedule of Estrada's arrest, Tiglao said it would be up to the anti-graft court. "As soon as all the legal processes have been fulfilled, the Sandiganbayan orders its sheriff to arrest Estrada and then the sheriff asks the Philippine National Police just for help to maintain peace and order," he said. Chief Obudsman Anioano Desierto expressed confidence on Sunday that an order for the arrest of ousted President Estrada on a plunder case will be issued this week. Last Thursday, the Ombudsman's Office submitted to the anti-graft court all the evidence pertaining to the plunder case against Estrada, prompting speculation that the ex-president's arrest was in the offing. The charge of plunder is a non-bailable offense punishable by death penalty. Estrada was ousted by a military-backed popular revolt in January amid the collapsed Estrada impeachment trial triggered by South Ilocos Governor Luis Singson's accusation that Estrada pocketed millions pesos of illegal gambling payoffs. |
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