Estrada may face fresh charges

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, JAN. 21. The former Philippines President, Mr. Joseph Estrada, who was ousted by sustained public pressure and withdrawal of support by the military, is likely to face fresh corruption charges.

Now that Mr. Estrada is no longer President, there are indications that the evidence collected during the Senate impeachment trial will now be handed over to State prosecutors for a fresh look.

There was, apparently, no deal agreed to with Mr. Estrada - the new President, Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has stated that the law will take its course as far as the former President is concerned.

Ms. Arroyo, acknowledging the many problems her country faces, was quoted as saying: ``I think we have to hit the ground running. There's much work to be done.''

The new President, who has already announced a new Finance Minister, Mr. Alberto Romulo, is to name the remaining members of her Government soon.

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