Estrada stays defiant in Manila court

MANILA: Deposed Philippine president Joseph Estrada struck a defiant note in opening testimony at his plunder trial on Wednesday, dismissing accusations he amassed $80 million from state coffers and bribes while in power.

The film star turned politician took the stand for the first time in his five-year-old trial, which is highly politicised as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo tries to heal divisions from the popular revolt that ousted him and propelled her to power.

“I was not able to defend myself and was convicted in the street,” Estrada, known popularly by his nickname ‘Erap’, told the packed courtroom in the Tagalog language. If convicted, Estrada could be sentenced to death. But most analysts expect he would be sent to prison or given a pardon by Arroyo to cool the political temperature.

About 200 Estrada supporters, waving banners that read ‘Erap not guilty’ were kept about 500 metres away from the court building by 1,000 police officers. The supporters, wearing Estrada’s trademark orange, held an overnight vigil and attended morning Mass at a nearby church.

Estrada, 68, who is kept under house arrest at his country villa east of Manila, was accompanied to court by his wife, Senator Luisa Ejercito, and three of his children. “I just answered with the truth so it was easy,” he said as he was whisked away after the hearing ended for the day.