Victim of judicial terrorism: Estrada

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, OCT. 1. The former Philippine President, Mr. Joseph Estrada, claimed today that he had been ``forced'' to attend his trial on charges of economic plunder at a special ant-corruption court.

Mr. Estrada, who claimed he was a victim of ``judicial terrorism'', didn't have his lawyers in court in what appears to be a strategy to delay the trial and try and win public sympathy. Wearing slippers, an unshaven and grim-faced Mr. Estrada finally made it to the court after saying he would stay away. If convicted in the plunder case, the former President could be handed down the death penalty. Mr. Estrada, who was forced to quit office in January this year following massive public demonstrations, has been in police custody since April this year.

``Forgive me for my attire,'' the former President, who was once a top notch film-star, told the three-judge Bench after the proceedings commenced. ``I have filed a waiver of appearance. I think my presence here is unnecessary,'' Mr. Estrada was quoted as telling the court. Just before going into the courtroom, the former President told reporters: ``I feel I've been forced to do what is against the rule of the court...this is somewhat judicial terrorism.''

Mr. Estrada said he had decided not to attend the court proceedings, but was persuaded by lawyers to go before the judges. ``That's why I'm not even prepared...I'm not even dressed up. I'm just with my slippers,'' the former movie actor said. Mr. Estrada has also said that he had decided not to attend the court proceedings because it was biased. ``I don't know if this is a kangaroo court, it is very unfair and biased...the Sandiganbayan (anti-corruption court) has long humiliated me,'' the former President maintained.

Mr. Estrada said he had been given the choice of leaving the Philippines after being ousted as President but had chosen to remain in the country. ``I did not accept that...what will the people say, that I ran away, I escaped? In other words, my conscience is clear and I am ready to face all the charges against me but it seems the court is not giving me justice in the way it is handling my case and I am sad to say this,'' he added.

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Section  : International
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