ESTRADA, RAMOS TO BE QUIZZED ON PUBLICIST'S KIDNAP-MURDER
Inquirer News Service,March 30, 2001
Former presidents Joseph Estrada and Fidel Ramos will be questioned in
relation to the kidnapping and murder of a high-profile aide to the latter
Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said Friday.
Perez said in a radio interview that they were looking at all angles in the
murder of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver, Manuel Corbito.
This followed a claim by arrested suspects Jimmy Lopez and Alex Diloy that
they assisted members of an elite police task force in the killing in November.
"We will have to question former president Fidel Ramos so he can give a
clear explanation," Perez said, recalling that Ramos had been one of those
who first reported Dacer missing.
Dacer was reported to be on his way to meet Ramos when he was abducted on
November 24 at the height of a corruption scandal affecting Estrada. Perez
said Estrada should also be questioned because Dacer's daughter had alleged
she had seen the then-president angry with her father when the pair met.
Family members of the publicist had earlier also said Estrada was angry
possibly because he believed Dacer was stirring up bad publicity over
corruption scandals, Perez remarked.
The corruption issue triggered a popular uprising that toppled Estrada in
January and installed Ramos ally Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the new
president.
The policemen who allegedly carried out the kidnapping and killing of Dacer
were members of an elite task force directly under Estrada's longtime ally
then-national police chief Panfilo Lacson.
Lacson, who is now running for the Senate under a pro-Estrada coalition has
denied that he was involved in the killing.
Ramos said in a television interview that he would be glad to answer
questions about the Dacer case. Estrada ally Caloocan Rep. Luis Asistio
said in a separate radio interview that there was no reason for Estrada to
kill Dacer, recalling that the last meeting between them at the presidential
palace "was like a reunion of long-lost friends."
LETTER SHOWS DACER FEARED ERAP, FORMER SECURITY ADVISER SAYS
Inquirer News Service, 29 March 2001
A LETTER by missing public relations man Salvador "Bubby" Dacer more than a
month before his abduction shows that he believed that former President
Joseph Estrada and former Philippine National Police chief Panfilo Lacson
were monitoring him and might have been planning to harm him.
Former National Security Adviser Jose Almonte said the letter, which bore
Dacer’s signature and the letterhead of his PR firm, was the last of several
that Dacer had sent him before he disappeared last Nov. 24.
The letters, according to Almonte, focused on Dacer’s fears that Estrada and
Lacson might harm him.
Dacer’s daughter Sabina confirmed the authenticity of the letter and urged
investigators to zero in on Estrada and Lacson’s possible involvement in the
abduction.
"I write instead of calling you to avoid being recorded by General Lacson
and President Estrada," read the letter dated Oct. 20, 2000.
"I have been repeatedly warned by friends in the Police, Military, Local
Governments, Business and media that President Estrada has tagged me as the
field officer in the alleged destabilization campaign against the
(administration)."
The letter writer told Almonte that government officials, including former
President Fidel Ramos, were "concerned" about the report, and that a Manila
policeman had even offered to provide him with a "safehouse."
Declining the offer, Dacer said he would leave for the United States on
Oct. 20 for a two-week visit. "I will be in touch. Please take care of my
two daughters and please, please look into the welfare of my two daughters
in Sun Valley--Ampy and Sabina," the letter read.
Almonte disclosed the contents of the letter and distributed copies at a
news forum yesterday in Pasig City. Upon receiving the letter, Almonte
said, he told Dacer to "be careful."
"I cannot confirm the contents of the letter, but the information itself is
urgent (enough) that even without any corroborating information, we have to
take action so that your life would be safe," he claimed he told the PR man.
On Nov. 24, over two weeks after his return, Dacer was abducted by suspected
members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, then
concurrently headed by Lacson.
'Natural Goebbels'
Estrada could not be reached for comment. His spokesperson Ramon Cardenas,
contacted by the Inquirer at the Estrada residence on Polk Street in San
Juan, said the former president had left around 3 p.m. for a campaign
sortie in Albay.
But one-time rivals for the country’s top police post, senatorial candidate
Lacson and National Bureau of Investigation director Reynaldo Wycoco
appeared geared for a verbal war.
Firing the first volley yesterday, Lacson issued a statement calling Wycoco
a "natural Goebbels"--after Adolf Hitler’s propaganda minister--for
"repeating in the media the malicious insinuation" that Lacson had a hand
in the Nov. 24 abduction.
It was the first time Lacson, who in November 1999 was chosen by then
President Joseph Estrada over Wycoco as Philippine National Police chief,
publicly lashed out at the NBI chief in connection with the Dacer case.
"Wycoco keeps on harping in the media that I may have something to do with
Dacer’s disappearance, but in truth and in fact, he knows I have nothing to
do with it," said the candidate from the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino-
Puwersa ng Masa coalition.
'Hot seat'
During the same forum at which Almonte revealed the letter, Wycoco found
himself in the hot seat as Dacer’s family, human rights groups, and
reporters urged him to name the mastermind behind the abduction.
Amid the clamor to name names, Wycoco answered: "Everybody has an idea of
who the mastermind is."
"I have my own thoughts on the matter. But I wish I could get the evidence
that would link Soberano to the mastermind. Once I get that evidence, early
the following morning at the first crack of dawn, I will file charges
against that guy," he said.
'Never checked'
Lacson enumerated a dozen instances reported in newspapers in which Wycoco
purportedly insinuated that the senatorial candidate had masterminded the
abduction and had it carried out by his then subordinates at the PAOCTF.
"The problem is the media never bothered to check whether the things being
said by Wycoco are true and verified through available evidence," he said.
Lacson said he "cannot blame the media for always writing what Wycoco says
since he is good copy and he knows how to handle reporters, a trait he
learned when he handled a select group of reporters in Camp Crame when he
was the Public Information Office chief."
The Macapagal administration, he said, has "found a natural Goebbels in
Wycoco," claiming the NBI chief has been employed to spearhead a demolition
job against him as an opposition candidate.
"Falsehood becomes truth if one keeps repeating it," Lacson said, mouthing
a famous Goebbels’ principle on conditioning the public mind through
propaganda.
'Begging for results'
Dacer’s family, for its part, reiterated its disgust over the slow pace of
the investigation. "Our friends can’t understand why (our) father’s case is
not going anywhere. It pains me. We’ve been begging for results for a long
time," Sabina said at the Pasig forum.
"It’s difficult for us to accept that nobody knows anything. The bottom
line is that we still don’t know what happened to him," her husband added.
ESTRADA WARNS OF REVOLT,IF HE'S DENIED JUSTICE (MALOLOS, Bulacan)Ousted
President Joseph Estrada warned of a mass uprising should the Office of the
Ombudsman proceed with his criminal prosecution.
"I will exhaust all legal remedies and follow the Constitution and the law.
But if I am not given justice, I leave the matter up to God and the people,"
he told reporters after leading a rally of the opposition senatorial ticket
in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Thursday night.
"The people will have the final say," he said. Estrada issued the warning
after he filed a counter-affidavit to charges that he received P189.7
million in commission for pressuring the Social Security System and the
Government Service Insurance System into buying 447,650,000 shares of Belle
Corp. in 1999 for P1.8 billion.
He said former SSS president Carlos Arellano, former GSIS president Federico
Pascual, Belle Corp. vice chair Willy Ocier and businessman Mark Jimenez
were lying when they testified that he received the commission.
The disgraced leader said he would submit counter-affidavits on the other
plunder and corruption cases filed against him by the Department of Justice
with the Office of the Ombudsman.
In Davao City, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said Estrada again
showed his "propensity to lie" when he tagged as liars his former friends.
Typical of a thief
Alvin Luque, secretary general of the Bayan-Davao City, said Estrada’s
reaction was typical of a "thief" betrayed by his "fellow thieves."
"Estrada is the ultimate liar. What is happening is that the company of
thieves are squealing and pointing to Estrada as the head thief," Luque said.
He noted that Estrada also called his former friend, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis
"Chavit" Singson, a liar when he exposed Estrada’s involvement in "jueteng."
Luque said Estrada’s "lying" backfired because Singson’s testimony triggered
widespread public indignation that led to his ouster.
Luque noted that the more Estrada lied, the more he put himself in trouble.
"Estrada should stop lying. He should instead be man enough to face mounting
allegations heaped on him in court, not by merely dismissing these
allegations as lies," Luque said.
The Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) challenged the Supreme Court
to reverse its ruling stopping the Office of the Ombudsman from filing
plunder and other criminal cases against Estrada until the legitimacy of
President Macapagal-Arroyo’s presidency was finally resolved.
Ombudsman Aniano Desierto disclosed that more local banks had assured
him that they would "produce" evidence showing that Estrada had engaged in
money laundering to hide his alleged ill-gotten wealth.
Desierto told the Inquirer that more bank officials were coming out in the
open to help the Office of the Ombudsman in its investigation of the plunder
and graft charges filed against Estrada.
At least two more banks will turn over to Desierto next week the bank records
of the disgraced President, his mistresses and bank accounts of his cronies.
"The banks said they would be furnishing the Office of the Ombudsman with
the statements of accounts of even those names associated with Estrada,"
Desierto said.
Bank of Commerce
The other banks led by Bank of Commerce were encouraged to cooperate with
the Office of the Ombudsman after Allied Bank, owned by business tycoon
Lucio Tan, Estrada’s former close friend, finally agreed to turn over
Estrada’s bank records to Desierto.
Eleven banks have already complied with the subpoena duces tecum, which
Desierto issued last month to allow his office to examine the bank records.
Desierto said the records would be used as evidence in the complaint for
forfeiture on Estrada’s assets, estimated to be at least P20 billion.
Initial documents submitted by Allied Bank president Peter Favila and
executive officer Reynaldo Maclang to Desierto showed that Jose Velarde,
one of Estrada’s alleged assumed names, had a $3-million account with the
bank.
Another numbered account under the name Kelvin Garcia, also one of
Estrada’s alleged aliases, is still active.
"On Monday, Allied Bank will turn over all the statements of accounts of
Estrada and his cronies. By the time, we will know how much money he
deposited into his accounts with the bank," Desierto said.
Desierto said that the Ombudsman special preliminary investigation panel was
tracing the movement of Estrada’s money, believed stashed in several banks
across the country.
"The panel wants to know exactly where the money was deposited or invested,"
said Desierto after his office stumbled upon a piece of evidence showing
that Estrada could have invested some of his money in top companies of his
cronies.
The special panel believes that Jose Velarde, who owned the controversial
P3.3-billion account with the Equitable PCI Bank, was none other than the
deposed President.
Fair trial
But while he said he would refute all the charges against him, Estrada
believed that he had already been convicted in the media. "I hope I can get
a fair trial. But I think I have been convicted through publicity. How can I
get justice from our courts if I have already been judged?" he said in
Filipino.
Before a crowd of around 2,500, Estrada spent almost an hour lashing out at
his political enemies and at the rich who, he said, orchestrated his ouster.
The opposition senatorial ticket continued its foray into known bailiwicks
of the administration by going to Bulacan Thursday.
3/24/01 (PDI Mindanao Bureau Inquirer News Service)
ESTRADA WAIVES IMMUNITY, REBUTS PLUNDER CHARGES (Manila) Former President
Estrada today submitted to Ombudsman Aniano Desierto his reply and denial
to allegations that he raked in P189.7 million as kickbacks by using more
than P1 billion in state pension funds.
Desierto told reporters the move in effect recognized the Ombudsman's
jurisdiction to investigate plunder charges filed against Mr. Estrada. The
ousted leader virtually waived his claim to immunity.
In a case, an accused is deemed to have waived his right to question its
power to investigate if he doesn't raise the issue and instead directly
answers the allegations made by the complainant.
Mr. Estrada filed two petitions before the Supreme Court (SC) stating that
he is still the President and is therefore immune from all suits. Although
the High Tribunal ruled against Mr. Estrada, the decision is not yet final
and executory.
In the counter-affidavit filed by the deposed Chief Executive before the
Ombudsman, he stated that the move is "without prejudice to my petition
filed with the SC which has not been resolved with finality."
3/22/01, phil.star
SC ORDERS ESTRADA PROSECUTION FREEZE:(MANILA) The Supreme Court Court
yesterday extended an order restraining the Office of the Ombudsman from
investigating or prosecuting deposed President Joseph Estrada for economic
plunder.
The order, contained in a one-page decision handed down during an en banc
session in Baguio City, came at the heels of the twin motions filed by
Estrada’s lawyers asking the court to halt all of the Ombudsman’s efforts
at building up plunder and forfeiture cases against the ex-president.
More specifically, the order bars the Ombudsman from issuing a resolution
on the six plunder cases filed recently by lawyers and civil society groups
against Estrada.
To date, there are nine plunder charges against Estrada filed before the
Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s resolution is supposed to either order the
dismissal of the plunder cases or call for the filing of criminal raps as
Estrada failed to submit counter-affidavits in response to the charges
hurled against him.
Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and Associate Justice Artemio Panganiban
again inhibited themselves from taking part in yesterday’s en banc session.
Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing who is on leave also did not
participate in the session.
The status quo order was issued on Feb. 20 and should expire on March 22.
However, the SC ordered it to "remain in effect" until the justices decide
on the motions filed by Estrada’s lawyers.
The tribunal then gave the Ombusdman a "non-extendible period" of 10 days
to respond to the motions, which were filed separately by Alfredo Agabin
and Cleofe Verzola, and by Rene Saguisag.
Agabin and Verzola filed a 36-page motion for reconsideration Monday asking
the SC to halt the Ombudsman’s pending investigation on the plunder
charges, saying Estrada risks facing double jeopardy if charged in court.
The two lawyers argued that the same charges were hurled against Estrada
during his impeachment trial.
Since the trial was aborted, it meant Estrada was not convicted, a
consequence which they consider as "tantamount to acquittal."
Hence, Estrada cannot he charged again for the same offenses, they said.
Agabin and Verzola also complained about Ombudsman Aniano Desierto’s
alleged "strongly adverse" position against their client, a fact which they
fear could result in a biased resolution against the former president.
Saguisag, on the other hand, begged the SC to reconsider its 13-0 decision
declaring Ms Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as president on Jan. 20.
In a 57-page omnibus motion, Saguisag questioned whether there was a
vacancy when Davide swore in Ms Macapagal as president at around 12 noon
that time.
Saguisag also claimed that since Estrada had not indicated any formal
resignation until now, there are in effect two presidents--Ms. Macapagal
being a de facto leader while his client remains on leave.
Clerk of Court Luzviminda Puno noted that while the status quo order
prevents Desierto from resolving or deciding the plunder cases, "it does
not sanction him from continuing the criminal investigation against
petitioner Estrada."
Puno also said the 10 day non-extendible order includes President Macapagal
as respondent to the case. This means she is also required to file her
comment on the twin motions submitted by Estrada's lawyers.
3/21/01, Inquirer News Service
ESTRADA GETS ANOTHER REPRIEVE FROM ARREST: Deposed President Joseph Estrada
got another reprieve from indictment and possible arrest yesterday after
the Supreme Court (SC) ordered prosecutors to wait until it has resolved
with finality all legal questions on his ouster.
Malacanang shrugged off the new SC order, saying it was no serious setback
to efforts to prosecute Estrada on graft and plunder charges.
The High Tribunal, voting 13-0, ruled on March 2 that Estrada has lost the
presidency and could not invoke immunity from criminal prosecution.
Estrada's lawyers, led by former Sen. Rene Saguisag, filed a motion for
reconsideration on Monday, arguing that the justices had erred and that
they should rectify their mistake.
The SC ordered government lawyers to comment on Estrada's motion within 10
working days.
In a one-page en ban order, the SC reiterated that the Office of the
Ombudsman must not file graft and plunder charges against Estrada until his
petition has been resolved with finality.
The original restraining order on the Ombudsman was due to expire on
Friday.
Ombudsman Aniano Desierto said he would file a motion for reconsideration
of the court's new order, which he said tied his hands in resolving and
filing the cases with the Sandiganbayan.
Desierto clarified, however, that he would have to respect and abide by the
SC decision that he also viewed as a positive development since it would
give his office more time to study the cases.
Ombudsman investigators said they have completed their probes and were set
to file the charges against Estrada.
Presidential Spokesman Renato Corona said Malacanang is not bothered by the
latest developments at the SC "because we feel it is just normal for an
important case like this, which has far-reaching legal and historical
implications." Phil. Star, 03/21/2001
US BACKS ARROYO'S REFORMS: The United States supports the reforms President
Arroyo has put on track, said Thomas Hubbard, the US acting assistant
secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.
Since assuming the presidency on Jan. 20, Mrs. Arroyo has already launched
"an ambitious agenda to put the Philippines securely on the reform track,"
Hubbard told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East
Asian and Pacific Affairs in a testimony delivered March 6.
Hubbard said the Philippine president has a "capable administration"
prepared to move forward on her top priorities, which include alleviating
poverty, accelerating economic reform, combating corruption, enhancing
transparency and good governance and promoting peaceful national
reconciliation.
The State Department and the US Agency for International Development are
working together to provide assistance to the Philippines for programs that
encourage reform, reduce corruption, and increase transparency and probity
in economic governance, according to Hubbard.
As to the 50-year-old US-Philippine Alliance, Hubbard said that the
Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) has allowed security relations to "rebound"
in the aftermath of the 1992 withdrawal of US military facilities in the
Philippines.
In an effort to help Philippine efforts to accelerate military
modernization, the US is focusing on the Philippine Armed Forces'
operations and maintenance (O&M) capabilities, said the former US
Ambassador to Manila. Phil. Star, 03/17/2001
SANDIGAN JAIL READY FOR ESTRADA(Manila)WILL the one-time top jailer become
the jailed? On July 1, 1999, then President Joseph Estrada inaugurated the
Sandiganbayan Centennial Building on Commonwealth Avenue corner Batasan Road
in Quezon City.
The event has been recorded for posterity on a marker prominently displayed
in the building’s lobby. Yesterday, three intelligence agents arrived to
check out the place, particularly the disgraced leader’s possible detention
cell in the sheriff’s office.
They were particularly concerned with the security factor, just in case
Estrada’s trial for plunder finally gets underway.
This was what the Inquirer was told about the visit of the intelligence
agents:
The team arrived at the sheriff’s office at around 12:30 p.m. and proceeded
to inspect the 8-by-3.5-meter cell. One agent took footage of the cell with
a digital video camera, while another paid special attention to the square
opening in the ceiling and asked an in-house security guard whether a grown
man might be able "crawl" through.
Yet another tried to shake the iron grills of the cell’s only window, as
though testing for strength.
Protection
In an interview later in the day, Ed Urieta, sheriff of the anti-graft court
said he sought the agents’ help "for intelligence gathering" and "for added
protection in case there will be a trial."
"We are surrounded by depressed areas here, you know. And there is a
possibility of marathon demonstrations or camp-ins," Urieta told the Inquirer.
He declined to identify what agency the trio came from, but another
Sandiganbayan source said they were from the Intelligence Service of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The cell, its pink walls and dirty white floor tiles as yet free from
blemishes or cracks, is fitted with a sink and a toilet bowl. There are two
folding beds, with pillows and mattresses.
The cell is built such that its occupant will be visible to the guard at any
time through the iron door. A prisoner sitting on the toilet bowl will still
have his or her knees exposed.
It has ample lighting, but no power outlets. Bringing in a TV set is banned,
although Urieta said he would allow a transistor radio.
Should Estrada be arrested, Urieta said, it would be up to the Sandiganbayan
justices to determine where he would be detained for the length of the trial.
"The Sandiganbayan has detainees in the Quezon City jail or in Camp Crame.
But usually, a new detainee spends his first night here," Urieta said.
According to the sheriff, the last nationally known government VIP to spend
a night at the cell was Caloocan City Mayor Rey Malonzo, whom the Estrada
administration--through then Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno--charged with
graft sometime in July 1999.
Should Estrada’s trial start, the one-time jailer will be now be the jailed.
Ready
And if, as Estrada has said, he was willing to be arrested, the Philippine
National Police is ready to do so.
Deputy Director General Leandro Mendoza, acting PNP chief, yesterday said
the police were "prepared" to carry out an arrest order should the
Sandiganbayan issue one in the near future.
In a forum at the Ciudad Fernandina in San Juan, Mendoza said the police
were ready with contingency measures in case violence erupted between the
anti- and pro-Estrada camps when the wheels of justice finally move against
the deposed president.
"We are concerned about the security of the people," Mendoza said. But he
stressed the police were also "ready to support the agencies that will make
the arrest."
Mendoza aired apprehensions that Estrada supporters would wreak havoc in the
streets should their idol be taken to jail.
He recalled an incident on Mendiola on Jan. 20 when the pros hurled stones
at the marching antis,triggering a near-violent clash between the two groups.
He said this prompted him to call a meeting with Chief Supt. Reynaldo Peña
Metro Manila police chief. They agreed to be ready for similar demonstrations
when the Supreme Court handed down a 13-0 decision on the legitimacy of the
Macapagal presidency.
Hostilities
"There really are people who still support former President Estrada,"
Mendoza admitted. "And there could behostilities, which is what we’re trying
to prevent."
Asked if the PNP could do something about the security personnel escorting
Estrada in election sorties for his party, the Puwersa ng Masa, Mendoza said
he was not even aware of this.
He said former presidents were no longer the PNP’s business.
3/15/01, Inquirer News Service
COPA RAISES P1M FOR ESTRADA'S PROSECUTION: The Council on Philippine Affairs
(Copa) has collected some P1 million in donations for the criminal
prosecution of disgraced President Joseph Estrada.
David Arsenas, Copa executive committee member in Tarlac, said the provincial
chapter was targeting between P3 million and P6 million by May 30 through
its "Piso para sa Katarungan" fund-raising campaign.
The amount to be collected nationwide will be for the office and legal
expenses of private prosecutors that will pursue the cases against Estrada.
The "Piso" was launched in Tarlac yesterday by the Pi Sigma Fraternity Alumni
Association Inc. and the Paregon Scholarship Foundation.
Eduardo Timbol of the fraternity said the campaign would be conducted in
Tarlac for six months.
Senatorial candidates of the People Power Coalition were invited to the
launching. Emma Lim, a former prosecution witness in the aborted impeachment
trial of Estrada, also attended the launching in behalf of Ilocos Sur Gov.
Luis "Chavit" Singson.
The campaign was launched as Ombudsman Aniano Desierto reiterated that he
would file criminal charges against officials of Allied Bank for their
refusal to furnish his office with the bank records of Estrada, members of
his family and his mistresses.
Desierto said he would charge officials of the bank owned by business tycoon
Lucio Tan with obstruction of justice and indirect contempt despite a
petition for certiorari and prohibition filed yesterday by the bank with the
Court of Appeals.
"In the absence of any order from higher courts, we will proceed with our
actions. We are now preparing to file charges against the management of
Allied Bank," he said. Allied Bank officials face a maximum of five years in
prison for obstruction of justice and another one year for indirect contempt
if found guilty.
Allied Bank officials have defied Desierto’s March 9 order requiring the
bank to turn over Estrada records. All 11 banks earlier subpoenaed by
Desierto had already complied with the order, raising speculation that
Allied Bank was protecting the accounts of the fallen president, a friend of
Tan.
The International Exchange Bank, Metrobank, Security Bank and Trust
Co. United Coconut Planters Bank, Philippine Savings Bank, Equitable PCI
Bank, United Overseas Bank, Citibank, Asia United Bank and Asian Bank have
complied with Desierto’s order.
Instead of complying with the order, Allied Bank decided to go directly to
the Court of Appeals to stop Desierto from examining the bank records of
Estrada and his mistresses.
In particular, the Ombudsman had instructed Allied Bank to surrender records
on the accounts of Jose Velarde, Joseph Estrada, Laarni Enriquez, Guia Gomez
Joy Melendrez, Peachy Osorio, Rowena Lopez, Kevin or Kelvin Garcia and the
so-called Boeing accounts identified only as 727, 737, 747, 757, 777 and 858.
Deliberate attempt
Ombudsman investigators said Allied Bank’s refusal to furnish them with
Estrada’s bank records could be a deliberate attempt to hide Estrada’s
wealth.
The investigators believe that Estrada’s account with Allied Bank is huge
since it is in foreign currency (dollars).
Desierto said the bank records would be used as evidence in the Office of
the Ombudsman’s investigation of the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the
Estradas estimated at P20 billion.
Estrada is facing nine plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman,
which is expected to file the charges with the Sandiganbayan after March 23.
Desierto said Allied Bank notified him about the petition with the Court of
Appeals through a manifestation on Tuesday. The manifestation asked him to
hold in abeyance any action on the bank’s failure to comply with the order.
The two-page manifestation was filed to stop Desierto from initiating
criminal charges against the bank. The manifestation asked Desierto not to
implement his order so as to give Allied Bank more time to question the
Ombudsman’s jurisdiction over the issue.
But the order gave the bank 48 hours to submit its statements of accounts
and all pertinent bank records of Estrada and his mistresses. The order
lapsed on March 11.
Allied Bank officials claim that the Foreign Currency Deposit Act (FCDA)
barred the government from scrutinizing Estrada’s foreign currency accounts
with the bank. Allied Bank noted that while the Ombudsman faced intense
pressure to prove the charges against Estrada,"it has no reason to run
roughshod against certain laws, rules of procedure and the Constitutional
rights even of those subjects of (its)investigation."
Desierto, however, had claimed that the FCDA only covered accounts deposited
by foreigners.
Gervacio
"The government, through the Office of the Ombudsman, cannot be stopped. We
have the authority under the law, and we feel that it is necessary to go to
the bottom of these anomalies surrounding the illegal activities of Joseph
Estrada," Overall Deputy Ombudsman Margarito Gervacio said.
Gervacio is the head of a five-man special preliminary investigation panel
tasked with investigating plunder and other graft cases filed against
Estrada.
Gatchalian
"Plastics king" William Gatchalian could be forced to testify against his
close friend Estrada in the criminal proceedings to be initiated against
the disgraced President with the Sandiganbayan, according to Gervacio.
Gervacio pointed out that the Office of the Ombudsman had the "coercive
power" to compel Gatchalian to turn state witness against Estrada.
He said Gatchalian could be compelled to pin down his friend if his testimony
would further prove that Estrada and Jose Velarde "are one and the same
person."
It was from the Velarde account of Estrada with the Equitable PCI Bank that
P500 million was drawn for lending to the Wellex Group of Gatchalian,
Equitable senior vice president Clarissa Ocampo testified at the impeachment
trial of Estrada in January.
Desierto said his office could grant immunity to Gatchalian "if he would
cooperate" as well as reveal everything he knew about Estrada’s hidden
wealth.3/15/01, Inquirer
GOVERNMENT READY FOR POSSIBLE BACKLASH OVER ESTRADA ARREST: The
Macapagal-Arroyo government is bracing for a possible backlash should they
move to arrest ousted president Joseph Estrada over his mounting plunder
cases.
It has tasked the Philippine National Police to set up a special police
unit to deal with public disturbances should Estrada be indicted for
corruption and arrested.
The police team would deal with street protests and other possible
contingencies, PNP chief Leandro Mendoza said.
Pro-Estrada demonstrators held rallies at the Supreme Court earlier this
month following the court's ruling that Estrada no longer enjoyed
presidential immunity against arrest.
The police chief did not say how many policemen comprised the unit.
He had previously expressed concern that Estrada supporters could cause
disturbances in the streets if the ex-president is arrested.
The government is planning to file charges of large-scale corruption,
bribery and embezzlement against Estrada. This will all be covered under
the general charge of "plunder", a non-bailable offense that is punishable
by death.
Ed Urieta, sheriff of the anti-graft court called Sandiganbayan, said in an
interview that "there is the possibility of marathon demonstrations or
camp-ins" during the Estrada trial.
Pro-Estrada groups have reportedly threatened to barricade Estrada's
suburban Manila home to shield him from arrest.
Mendoza said if Estrada is arrested to face corruption charges, this would
be the job of the sheriffs of the special anti-graft court where he would
be tried.
Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said that many prospective witnesses were
still too afraid to come forward to testify against the deposed leader.
Inquirer, 03/16/2001
ESTRADA PLANE STOPPED AT NINOY AQUINO INT'L AIRPORT: The plane carrying
former president Joseph Estrada, his wife Luisa and son Jinggoy, was
grounded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport this morning, radio and
television reports said.
Estrada and his family were apparently on their way to Occidental Mindoro
to campaign for the candidates of the opposition's Puwersa ng Masa
coalition.
The provincial airport in San Jose in Mindoro was also closed to air
traffic, reports said.
But Naia general manager Edgardo Manda was quoted as saying that Estrada
can travel anytime if within the country, and said the incident was
probably the result of a miscommunication between airport authorities and
Estrada's party.
Puwersa senatorial candidate Edgardo Angara denounced the incident, saying
this was the latest attempt by the administration allegedly to harass the
opposition. Inquirer, 03/14/2001
US HAS ALLOWED JIMENEZ TO STAY AND TESTIFY AGAINST ERAP – DOJ The United
States government will allow controversial businessman Mark Jimenez to stay
put in the country to testify against ousted President Joseph Estrada,
Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, over a radio news report said.
The radio report quoted Perez as saying Washington has agreed not to
extradite Jimenez, a close associate of Estrada, who will be testifying in
the government's plunder charges against the deposed leader.
Perez said Washington has agreed to let Jimenez stay in the Philippines as
long as the DOJ needs Jimenez' testimony against Estrada.
The US government has filed charges against Jimenez, who allegedly made
illegal contributions to the political campaign of then President Bill
Clinton. Inquirer, 03/11/2001
FREEZE ON ERAP ASSETS SOUGHT: Administration candidates for senator
yesterday sought a freeze of the assets of ousted President Joseph Estrada
because, they said, these will be used against them to ensure his
candidates' victory in the May 14 elections.
Rep. Joker Arroyo, a member of the House panel that prosecuted Estrada at
his Senate impeachment trial, said candidates of the opposition Puwersa ng
Masa Coalition are "desperate" to assume office, if only to keep the former
president out of jail.
Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, who with Arroyo is running under the administration's
People Power Coalition, said the assets and liabilities of Estrada and his
mistresses should be made public. Chato, former Bureau of Internal Revenue
chief, also urged the electorate not to sell their votes to the PMC, but
support the candidates who have outstanding records.
Arroyo and Chato made the statements in reaction to the confirmation by
Sen. Blas Ople that Estrada will help finance the campaigns of opposition
candidates on the local and national levels.
Arroyo said the Estrada camp was hard-pressed to snatch a win from the
administration candidates since a clean sweep of the senatorial polls by
the ruling PPC was "real." Inquirer, 03/12/2001
ESTRADA'S BID FOR ASYLUM NIXED: Alarmed by a report that Joseph Estrada
recently applied for political asylum in Thailand, the United States,
Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei through embassies in Manila, the Philippine
government yesterday warned friendly nations that granting refuge to the
ousted president would be deemed an "unfriendly act."
The Nation newspaper in Thailand yesterday quoted an unidentified Thai
government source as saying that Estrada "made a personal call to the Thai
ambassador in Manila last week urging Thailand to grant him political
asylum."
But a close friend of Estrada's issued a flat denial on his behalf, saying
the disgraced leader "has never talked" to Thai Ambassador to Manila Ravee
Hongsaprabhas, except to exchange pleasantries at diplomatic functions
during his presidency.
Thai diplomats in Manila declined to comment, while the Brunei and
Indonesian Embassies said they had no reports of any such request.
US Embassy spokesperson Thomas Skipper said "there has been no request and
the US has made no offer for former President Estrada to go the United
States."
The Nation, an independent English-language broadsheet, also reported that
Thai immigration officers around the country had been instructed to keep a
close watch in case Estrada tries to slip in.
The article, headlined "Beleaguered Erap comes knocking on the door but is
told to go away," came on the heels of reports that the deposed leader had
planned three escape attempts while in Mindanao last week.
The Nation report quoted its source as saying that if Thailand decided to
grant Estrada asylum, it would risk criticism from its colleagues in the
Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).
The paper said "it was highly unlikely that the Kingdom could consider
harboring the Filipino while the new (Thai) administration already had its
hands full with its own problems," including border problems with Burma,
and the recent sabotage of a plane that was due to carry the Thai prime
minister.
Thai government officials in Bangkok were not immediately available for
comment on the report, Reuters reported.
Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teofisto Guingona warned
neighbors and friendly countries against giving asylum to Estrada, although
he said, "alerting (these countries) is all we can do." Inquirer,
03/09/2001
ITS 13-0 FOR GLORIA, SUPREME COURT CITES ANGARA DIARY FOR ESTRADA'S
RESIGNATION.(Manila) Voting 13-0, the Supreme Court has unanimously ruled
that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the country's legitimate President and not
her deposed predecessor, Joseph Estrada.
"Estrada has effectively resigned by his acts and statements," said the
ruling written by Associate Justice Reynato Puno.
The justices also voted 9-4 on Estrada's loss of immunity from suit.
The twin decisions are to be officially released today, 10 days earlier than
scheduled. The ruling paves the way for the filing by the Office of the
Ombudsman of plunder cases against Estrada with the Sandiganbayan.
But Estrada, who was toppled in a military-backed citizens' revolt on Jan.
20, has 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration with the high court.
In deciding the legitimacy of the Macapagal administration, the high court
quoted liberally from the diary of former Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara
in the last hours of the Estrada administration, which was published in the
Inquirer from Feb. 4 to 6, 2001.
The tribunal ruled that Estrada had effectively resigned even if he did not
sign his resignation letter. "As events approach Jan. 20, we can have an
authoritative window on the state of mind of (Estrada). This window is
provided in the final days of Joseph Ejercito Estrada," the Supreme Court
said in its decision.
"The diary of Executive Secretary (Edgardo) Angara was serialized in the
Philippine Daily Inquirer (on Feb.4-6). The Angara diary reveals that in the
morning of Jan. 19, petitioner's loyal advisers were worried about the
swelling of the crowd at Edsa, hence, they decided to create an ad hoc
committee to handle it," the high court said.
"Their worry would worsen. At 1:20 p.m., petitioner pulled Secretary Angara
into his small office at the Presidential Residence and explained 'Ed,
seryoso na ito. Kumalas na si Angelo (Reyes, the AFP chief of staff). An
hour later or at 2:30 p.m., the petitioner decided to call for a snap
presidential election and stressed he would not be a candidate.
"The proposal for a snap election for President in May where he would not be
a candidate is indicium (a sign) that petitioner had intended to give up the
presidency even at that time . . .
"According to Secretary Angara, he asked Senator Pimentel to advise
petitioner to consider the option of 'dignified exit or resignation.'
Petitioner did not disagree but listened intently . . . .
"Significantly, the petitioner expressed no objection to the suggestion for
a graceful and dignified exit but said he would never leave the country. At
10 p.m., petitioner revealed to Secretary Angara 'Ed, Angie guaranteed that
I would have five days to a week in the Palace.' This is proof that
petitioner had reconciled with himself to the reality that he had to resign.
His mind was already concerned with the five-day grace period he would stay
in the Palace. It was a matter of time . . ."
"By 11 p.m., former President Fidel Ramos called up Secretary Angara and
requested, 'Ed magtulungan tayo para magkaroon tayo ng peaceful and orderly
transfer of power.' There was no defiance to the request. Secretary Angara
readily agreed. Again, we noted that at this stage, the problem was already
about a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. The resignation of the
petitioner was implied," the Supreme Court said.
Separate opinions
Justices Jose C. Vitug and Vicente V.Mendoza reportedly announced that they
would submit a separate concurring decision on the legitimacy of the
Macapagal presidency.
The four associate justices who registered reservations on the vote on
Estrada's immunity from suit were Bernardo Pardo, Santiago Kapunan, Consuelo
Ynares-Santiago and Angelina Gutierrez. Except for Kapunan, all were Estrada
appointees.
Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., who went to Edsa to administer the oath of
office to Ms Macapagal on Jan.20, and Associate Justice Artemio Panganiban
had inhibited themselves.
Sources said the reservations harbored by Pardo, Kapunan, Ynares-Santiago
and Gutierrez could still "disappear."
Erap knew
As of 9:30 last night, Estrada already knew about the high court's decision,
according to one of his aides.
The ousted President was holed up in a room at the VIP Hotel in Cagayan de
Oro City where he campaigned for senatorial candidates of the Laban ng
Demokratikong Pilipino and the Puwersa ng Masa.
He was conferring with former Immigration Commissioner Rufus Rodriguez and
former Customs Commissioner Nelson Tan.
According to Inquirer sources, the high court, before it could decide on the
questions of legitimacy and immunity, had to first decide on whether the
Estrada petition was a political or a justiciable question. If the former,it
would be deemed that the court had no jurisdiction over the Estrada petition.
Estrada through his lawyer Rene Saguisag had questioned before the Supreme
Court the legality of the Macapagal presidency.
Estrada had claimed that he was still the President but was forced to go "on
leave" by circumstances that culminated in People Power II. He also claimed
that Ms Macapagal was the acting President.
Ms Macapagal's supporters, however, point out that she was already sworn
into office shortly before Estrada left Malacañang through the back door.
The court cited a similar petition filed before the Supreme Court after
People Power I in 1986 when Cory Aquino ascended to the presidency.
But the high court ruled that the petition concerned a political question as
Aquino had formed a revolutionary government. The high court decided it had
no jurisdiction over the petition questioning the legality of the Aquino
presidency.
In the case of the Macapagal presidency, the tribunal ruled that it had
jurisdiction over it because it was "justiciable."
Justiciable means that the case is capable of being decided by legal
principle or by a court of justice. The high court ruled that the Macapagal
presidency was constitutional and thus its jurisdiction was established.
Reactions
"To say that we are pleased is an understatement," Presidential Chief of
Staff Renato Corona said after the Supreme Court voted to disregard Estrada's
claim to the presidency.
"The victory is not only for President Macapagal-Arroyo but the entire
nation. We've never been bothered by this and we've always been confident we
would win the case," Corona said.
Rep. Joker Arroyo, a senatorial candidate of the People Power Coalition, said
in Cagayan de Oro City that the high court's decision was "good for the
country" as it established the "stability of the Macapagal administration."
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the high court's decision would
strengthen the people's confidence in the Macapagal administration.
Judicial activism
Former Senate President Jovito Salonga said the 13 justices merely concurred
with the decision of Chief Justice Davide. It was Davide who swore Ms
Macapagal into office on Jan. 20.
"I call it judicial activism combined with legal statesmanship," Salonga
said of Davide's action.
The 13-0 vote was a rout for Estrada lawyer Rene Saguisag, who filed the
petition questioning the legality of Ms Macapagal's presidency.
It was Pacifico Agabin who filed the petition maintaining that Estrada was
immune from suit. After the plunder cases are filed with the Sandiganbayan
Estrada can be arrested because plunder is a nonbailable offense.
But his arrest may take some time, most likely after the May elections, as
he can still file a motion for reconsideration with the Ombudsman.
If the Ombudsman turns down his motion, Estrada can still go to the Supreme
Court to stop the prosecution of the case.
At midnight, a group of around 100 Estrada loyalists were marching toward
the Supreme Court to protest the ruling.
Inquirer News Service, 3-2-01
SUPREME COURT VOTES 13-0 FOR GMA: It's all over for Joseph Estrada. Voting
13-0, the Supreme Court upheld yesterday the legitimacy of the Arroyo
administration, saying Estrada relinquished the presidency on Jan.20, the
final day of people power II.
"In a democracy, it is the people who count; those who are deaf to their
grievances are ciphers," the Supreme Court said in its 65-page decision
which Justice Reynato Puno penned.
The decision, released by Justice Josue Bellosillo late last night, paves
the way for the prosecution of Estrada, who could face the death penalty if
he is convicted of plunder.
With its landmark decision, the High Tribunal in effect lifted its 30-day
temporary restraining order which prevented Ombudsman Aniano Desierto from
filing in court six cases of plunder against Estrada. The disgraced leader
faces immediate arrest and won't be eligible for bail once the cases reach
court.
President Arroyo hailed the decision as "a victory not just for me but for
the entire Filipino nation."
Her spokesman Renato Corona said the President was immediately informed of
the Supreme Court decision. "To say that we are pleased with the decision
is an understatement," Corona said.
Bellosillo, who was the last to sign the ruling, said the case is so
important that the decision had to be released immediately.
In rendering its decision, the magistrates adopted a so-called "totality
test" of circumstances surrounding Estrada's implied resignation, the most
notable of which were those former Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara
narrated in his diary.
The SC added: "The proposal for a snap election for president in May where
he would not be a candidate is an indicium that Estrada had intended to
give up the presidency even at that time."
"This is proof that Estrada had reconciled himself to the reality that he
had to resign. His mind was already concerned with the five-day grace
period he could stay in the palace. It was a matter of time," Puno wrote.
The deposed president's Jan. 20 press statement was also cited as basis
that he wanted to resign. "Certainly, the national spirit of reconciliation
and solidarity could not be attained if he did not give up the presidency."
It was not likewise necessary for the 63-year-old former actor to be
convicted in the aborted impeachment trial. "Such a submission has nothing
to commend itself for it will place him in a better situation than a
non-sitting President who has not been subjected to impeachment proceedings
and yet can be the object of a criminal prosecution."
While all 13 magistrates were unanimous on the legitimacy of the Arroyo
administration, four "reserved" their votes on Estrada's immunity from
criminal prosecution. Three were appointed to the Supreme Court (SC) by
Estrada: Bernardo Pardo, Consuelo Ynares-Santiago and Angelina Sandoval-
Gutierrez. The fourth, Santiago Kapunan, was appointed by Fidel Ramos.
Estrada has 15 days to file his appeal. Observers, however, noted that it
is unlikely for the SC to overturn a decision of the entire bench. Phil.
Star, 03/03/2001
2 MORE ESCAPE PLANS FAIL: After a foiled escape attempt on Friday, Joseph
Estrada planned two other departures over the weekend--one from Cagayan de
Oro to Hong Kong on Saturday, and another from Palawan to Palau on Sunday,
a senior Armed Forces official claimed yesterday, citing military
intelligence information.
All the alleged plans to skip town were called off because of tight
military security at airports in the South, said the official, who had
earlier divulged Estrada's alleged attempt to leave the country on Friday.
The source also said that a jet owned by San Miguel Corp. chair Eduardo
"Danding" Cojuangco Jr. landed and took off at least three times at the
Davao City airport on Friday, the same day that Estrada allegedly attempted
to flee to Indonesia from that airport.
The officer said that the perplexing and erratic landing and take-off
pattern of the mysterious jet, as well as constant changes in the schedule
of Estrada while campaigning for opposition senatorial bets in Mindanao,
were indications that the deposed President was planning to leave the
country.
On Estrada's unpredictable schedules while he was in Mindanao last week,
the military official said: "His itinerary is constantly being changed.
Sometimes he is scheduled to be there but he is out there somewhere."
Estrada, who has vociferously denied having any intention of fleeing,
returned to Manila on Sunday night after a three-day campaign sortie in
Mindanao.
His first alleged escape try was supposedly aborted due to the presence of
military intelligence agents at the Davao airport.
The officer said Estrada's "back-up plans" were to fly from the Cagayan de
Oro City airport to Hong Kong or from Puerto Princesa City to the
Asia-Pacific island chain of Palau. He did not provide details.
The Macapagal administration has formally appealed to five countries not to
grant political asylum to Estrada, who faces prosecution for plunder and
other charges after being stripped of presidential immunity by the Supreme
Court.
Vice President and Foreign Secretary Teofisto Guingona said his office had
already alerted the governments of Indonesia, Hong Kong, Guam, Papua New
Guinea and Palau to block Estrada from entering their borders.
The military official said the aircraft that repeatedly landed and took off
in Davao belonged "to a friend of the former President," and that there
were "strong indications that they were up to something."
Asked if he was referring to Cojuangco, the official, who spoke on
condition of anonymity, said "yes." Inquirer, 03/06/2001
STOCKS, PESO UP AFTER RULING: The financial markets yesterday cheered the
Supreme Court decision affirming the legitimacy of the Macapagal-Arroyo
administration and pushed the peso up by almost 68 centavos, to P47.67 to
the US dollar.
Share prices closed 1.2 percent higher yesterday as the 30-company
Philippine Stock Exchange Index managed to breach its 1,600-point
resistance to end at 19.57 points at 1,616.54, adding to last Friday's 1.7
percent gain.
Also aiding market sentiment was the favorable February inflation report
released shortly before the market opened, which showed February consumer
prices expanding 6.7 percent, better than economists' average forecast of
6.9 percent.
"There's now proof of life in the market, unlike before, when it felt like
shares were being cast away by investors," said A&A Securities research
head Astro del Castillo. "Confidence is slowly trickling back."
Most traders believe the peso could strengthen further to P46.50 to $1 in
the coming days although some believe yesterday's aggressive recovery may
be short-lived.
The peso opened at P47.80 to $1 and recovered some more toward the
afternoon trade. Transactions reached a modest $114.5 million.
According to Romulo Neri, a professor of economics at the Asian Institute
of Management, foreign portfolio and direct investments should start coming
in after the Supreme Court ruling.
Neri, who also heads the Congressional Budget Planning Office, said things
are looking bright for the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.
But he doubts that the peso could recover to P45 to $1 within the year.
Neri believes a P45-P47 to $1 level would be good for both exporters and
importers.
The weakening US and Japanese economy, both countries being strong trading
partners of the Philippines, could halt growth in exports this year, said
Neri.
The domestic economy is expected to compensate for this, which would pull
up imports. The resulting weakness in exports and improved imports would
prevent a strong recovery for the peso, Neri said. Inquirer, 03/06/2001
EUROPEAN COMMISSION REITERATES SUPPORT FOR MACAPAGAL (BRUSSELS) President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's programs and priorities "are like music to my ears."
Christopher Patten of the European Commission made this comment after the
briefing given by Ambassador Cesar B. Bautista, special presidential envoy
for Europe and concurrently Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom
Ireland, and Iceland.
Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong before its turnover to
China, as External Relations Commissioner is in charge of foreign policy of
the European Commission.
Bautista conveyed the gratitude of President Macapagal-Arroyo for the early
declaration of support given by the European Union Council right after her
inauguration on January 20. The EU declaration expressed their commitment
to assist in addressing the challenges confronting the Philippines.
In a statement released by Malacañang today, Patten said sustaining the
momentum is important in order to further boost the resurgence of
confidence in the Philippines.
Bautista brought up the urgent development needs in Mindanao, which the EC
had previously committed itself to support. He also sought assistance in
easing trade barriers, to enable Philippine products to compete more
equitably in the 15-member EU. Patten thus requested Yves Gazzo, head of
the EC delegation to the Philippines, to include the development of
Mindanao in its strategy paper for the Philippines.
A meeting between EU and Philippine officials will be held soon in Manila
to discuss cooperative strategies. Inquirer7, 3/2/01
PALACE: ESTRADA MUST BE DREAMING: Malacanang dismissed yesterday as a pipe
dream pronouncements by deposed President Joseph Estrada that he would
regain power from President Arroyo.
Executive Secretary Renato de Villa and Presidential Spokesman Renato
Corona said Estrada's statement was nothing but a campaign speech to his
dwindling supporters.
Corona said the President was not even bothered by Estrada's threat to get
back at his detractors once he regains power. De Villa said Estrada's
intention of returning to power just to get even with those who caused his
downfall made it more difficult for the disgraced president to fulfill his
dream.
Corona maintained that Estrada's statements were merely meant to boost the
morale of his remaining supporters, adding the disgraced president could
not simply admit that he has lost power.
He also said Estrada is entitled to his freedom of expression, but his
statements should not be taken seriously.
Estrada has petitioned the court to declare the Arroyo administration
illegal and unconstitutional, claiming he is still the duly elected
President, albeit on leave.
He argued that Mrs. Arroyo was merely serving in an acting capacity for the
duration of his absence.
The former president, invoking presidential immunity, also urged the SC to
enjoin state investigators and prosecutors from pursuing their charges of
plunder, graft and bribery against him.
The High Tribunal is expected to promulgate its decision on the petitions
on March 13.
In another development, the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)
opposed suggestions by Justice Secretary Hernando Perez to make Estrada
ally Jaime Dichaves a state witness in the prosecution of the former
leader.
Bayan chairman Rafael Mariano said Dichaves should be put behind bars, not
on the witness stand.
Mariano said Dichaves should be prosecuted for trying to mislead the
impeachment tribunal by claiming he owned the controversial Jose Velarde
bank accounts which government prosecutors believed were Estrada's.
Perez gave assurances that Dichaves would be granted immunity depending on
the gravity of his testimony.
Mariano argued, however, that government prosecutors needed no additional
evidence since those already available were enough to gain a conviction of
the former president. Phil. Star, 03/02/2001
DICHAVES WANTS TO TESTIFY VS ESTRADA: Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said
yesterday businessman Jaime Dichaves, a crony of deposed President Joseph
Estrada, has sent feelers to help the government pin down the disgraced
leader on a string of corruption charges.
Perez said he would be willing to listen to whatever the former Estrada
ally has to say, noting that Dichaves belonged to the deposed president's
inner circle and was privy to many alleged illegal transactions.
At the height of Estrada's impeachment trial, Dichaves claimed he owned the
Equitable PCI Bank account under the fictitious name Jose Velarde, whose
real owner was allegedly Estrada himself.
Dichaves' claim, however, was dismissed as a ruse after Equitable PCI Bank
executive vice president Clarissa Ocampo testified that Estrada himself
signed under the Velarde name just a foot away from her.
Perez added that if the DOJ decides to charge Dichaves as one of Estrada's
co-respondents in the plunder charges, they would likely ask that Dichaves'
passport be canceled.
Perez earlier said they would be filing two or three plunder suits, a
non-bailable offense punishable by death, but deferred the filing after the
Supreme Court issued a 30-day restraining order.
If the DOJ accepts Dichaves, he would be the fifth big-time businessman to
turn against Estrada.
Earlier, Manila Times publisher Mark Jimenez, former Social Security System
(SSS) president Carlos "Chuckie" Arellano, Government Service Insurance
System (GSIS) president Federico Pascual and Belle Corp. shareholder Willie
Ocier said they would testify against Estrada.
The DOJ rejected the offer of alleged gambling boss and Estrada drinking
buddy Charlie "Atong" Ang to testify because his testimony supposedly
contains nothing new.
But the four witnesses have postponed signing their sworn affidavits until
after the Supreme Court has ruled on Estrada's petition asking the SC to
declare the Arroyo administration illegitimate and grant him presidential
immunity.
He said Arellano, Estrada's childhood friend, and Pascual are now the
government's main witnesses while Jimenez's testimony will only be
corroborative. Phil. Star, 03/01/2001
NO MORE GOV'T BROKERING – GMA: Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday assured the
country's top businessmen that her administration would keep its hands off
corporate deals and disputes to ensure transparency and attract more
investments.
In a speech at the Second Annual Philippine Business Outlook 2001
Conference in Makati City, Ms Macapagal also said the government would no
longer tap state pension funds to finance takeovers.
She said this policy would differentiate her administration from that of
her graft-tainted predecessor, ousted President Joseph Estrada.
She said the government would not use state pension funds "to drive values
or to make an investment choice preferable to another investment choice."
Decisions should "be driven by the market and not by the intervention of
powers-that-be in the corridors of power," Ms Macapagal said in allusion to
accusations that Estrada cronies enjoyed special privileges when he was
President.
In her speech, Ms Macapagal also assured the businessmen that there would
be "major microeconomic policy reversal or surprises."
She said her administration would be "above suspicion" and economic
policies would be "less violative" of business rights. She said the
bureaucracy would be simplified to speed up the processing of business
permits and licenses.
All transactions, particularly bidding, would be done in public so that "no
special favors" would be given to any particular group.
She also urged businessmen to report government officials who asked for
"special favors."
Businessmen, however, have been jittery lately following news reports that
ousted President Joseph Estrada was planning to retake the presidency. The
30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index yesterday broke its 1,600-point
support to end down 43.29 points, or 2.7 percent, at 1,570.20, adding to a
1.2 percent loss Wednesday. The index has given up 4.7 percent since Monday.
Total trading volume thinned to 588.9 million shares valued at P734.2
million from Wednesday's 987.5 million shares valued at P994.9 million.
Decliners led gainers 72 to 12, while 34 issues were unchanged. Inquirer,
03/02/2001
