Ex-President, in Slippers, Faces Philippine Court

Joseph Estrada’s corruption trial got off to a contentious start Monday as the ousted Philippine president showed up against his will, without his legal team and clad in slippers.

Compelled by the court’s three judges to appear before them on a charge punishable by death, the 64-year-old Estrada rejected the lawyers who were appointed to represent him, claimed he can’t get fair treatment and said he shouldn’t have to attend the trial--the first of a Philippine leader. The unshaven Estrada asked for permission to leave but was refused.

Earlier, Estrada refused to enter a plea to the capital offense of plunder, and his lawyers are trying to get the law, which he once championed, thrown out.

Ousted in a “people power” revolt in January, the former film actor is accused of economic plunder for allegedly amassing more than $78 million during his 31 months in office.

Estrada told radio stations that he would not appear before what he called a “kangaroo court.”

He walked in an hour late after being advised by counsel not to resist police who had come to fetch him from a military hospital, where he was being treated for a lung ailment.

Estrada claimed government Ombudsman Aniano Desierto had threatened to have police carry him into the courtroom if he refused to attend. “I call this judicial terrorism,” Estrada said. Desierto denied making the threat.