Philippine court to rule on ex-president's plunder trial Sept. 12

9/7/2007

MANILA : The Philippine anti-graft court will issue a verdict next week in the 6-year-old plunder trial of ousted President Joseph Estrada, an official said Friday, as security forces braced for possible unrest by his supporters.

The verdict next Wednesday by the Sandiganbayan court will cover Estrada, who left the presidential palace amid massive street protests in 2001; his son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada; and lawyer Eduardo Serapio, court spokesman Renato Bocar said.

Court Sheriff Ed Urieta said he will meet with police officials to ensure tight security. It will include at least 4,000 police and 2,000 soldiers, police and military officials said earlier.

"We will allow rallies as long as they are peaceful and orderly and there will be no law violated," national police Deputy Director General Avelino Razon said.

Estrada, the second president toppled by a popular revolt after dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, is accused of amassing about 4 billion pesos (US$81 million; euro62 million) in illegal funds. He also is charged with falsely declaring his assets.

He has denied the charges, accusing his successor, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, of masterminding his removal in a conspiracy with the Roman Catholic church and senior military officers.

Estrada has repeatedly said he was confident he would be acquitted, and has rejected any suggestions of a pardon by Arroyo.

One of his lawyers, Rene Saguisag, earlier told reporters Estrada was not interested in regaining power if acquitted and has promised "not to do anything incompatible with the national interest."

The trial ran from Oct. 2001 to June 15.

Estrada supporters, most of them urban poor who idolize the former movie star, have threatened to stage massive protests if he is found guilty.