Estrada got a 'cut' in ransom

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, DEC. 10. The impeachment trial of the Philippines President, Mr. Joseph Estrada, is poised to enter a series of twists and turns as a politically-divided nation anxiously awaits the Senate verdict.

As the 11-member prosecution panel promised further revelations about Mr. Estrada's corrupt practices, the team of lawyers came under some fire as well.

While the prosecution panel defended its performance and promised more details about Mr. Estrada's wrongdoings in the days ahead, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) called for the replacement of the lawyers panel.

In an open letter to all 11 lawyers on the prosecution panel, the IBP President, Mr. Arthur. B. Lim, said: ``The way things are going, President Estrada will be acquitted not because there is no evidence but because the evidence will not be established at all due to the inexperience of the prosecutors in litigation and trial work.''

However, Mr. Joker Arroyo, one of the prosecutors, has defended the panel's performance. ``We do not care about the IBP's opinion....I believe that everything is on balance except for the initial difficulty of the prosecution arising from the premeditated strategy of the defence lawyers to block virtually every question propounded by the prosecutors.''

Meanwhile, the German magazine, Der Speigel, is to run a report tomorrow that Mr. Estrada received some $8 millions as part of the $20 millions ransom paid to the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group to release a group of Western hostages earlier this year.

The magazine account is reportedly based on tapped telephone conversations of the chief Filipino negotiator, Mr. Robert Aventajado, with the Abu Sayyaf group.

Mr. Aventajado, however, has denied any involvement. ``I flatly deny it (the report) and I guess I can also speak for the President since I was the chief negotiatior,'' he was quoted as saying.

Mr. Estrada, however, continues to retain a business- as-usual posture as the Senate trial into the charges of corruption, bribery and culpable violation of the Constitution.

Mr. Estrada, who has been busy with official work, said while launching a community health programme: ``I am convinced that the truth will prevail in the end. I am convinced that I will be cleared of all the issues....''

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Section  : International
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