Ousted President Surrenders to Philippine Court
Disgraced former President Joseph Estrada turned himself in to authorities Monday after a special anti-graft court issued arrest warrants on two of the eight corruption-related charges recently filed against him. He was fingerprinted and released after posting $800 bail.
Toppled from power in a “people power” revolt in January, Estrada looked crestfallen as court officers took his fingerprints five times in a graphic demonstration of his fall from grace.
Arraignment was set for May 17. Estrada has professed his innocence and has accused rivals of fabricating the charges.
Prosecutors plan to withdraw five of the eight criminal charges against Estrada, but the most serious one--economic plunder--will remain, the government ombudsman said today.
The two warrants against Estrada were one for graft--for allegedly skimming $2.6 million in tobacco taxes--and one for perjury--for allegedly misstating net assets of $700,000 in 1991. Economic plunder is a capital offense, and there is no bail allowed for that pending charge.
Estrada was indicted April 4 on accusations he pocketed $82 million in kickbacks and payoffs during 31 months in office.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
