Erap impeachment trial begins today

By Dirk Beveridge

AP Writer

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines’ half-century under U.S. control left it with a similar political system, and now that system is being put to an all-too-familiar use: The president is facing a sensational impeachment trial in which allegations about his mistresses could play a central role.

President Joseph Estrada goes on trial before the Senate today on charges of bribery, corruption, violating the constitution and betraying the public trust. The trial could drag into 2001, although Estrada predicts it will end before Christmas, always a highlight of the year in this predominantly Roman Catholic nation stretching across 7,107 islands in Southeast Asia.

Estrada, a former action movie star and a ladies man, insists on his innocence. He called the trial “the chance I’ve been waiting for to prove that there is no truth to the charges against me.”

The scandal has its roots in gambling and corruption — two features of Philippine life that critics say have helped hold back the poor nation’s economic progress.

It erupted when Luis Singson, a former drinking and gambling buddy of Estrada’s, alleged he gave the president more than $8 million in money skimmed from illegal numbers games and $2.6 million from tobacco taxes. Singson, the governor of Ilocos Sur province in the north, is a reputed lord of the illegal numbers game “jueteng.”

Estrada has acknowledged Singson offered him a bribe but insists he refused. The money nevertheless was handed to an Estrada aide and ended up in the bank account of a Muslim youth foundation established by the president. Critics say the foundation was used by Estrada to cover up payoffs.

The crisis has become political high drama here, complete with massive street protests and pro- and anti-Estrada coalitions headed by high-profile Philippine leaders Former first lady Imelda Marcos has taken Estrada’s side, while his opponents include former presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos and Manila’s influential archbishop, Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Though the list of witnesses and other trial details are not yet certain, there are plenty of prospects being held out to titillate an entranced public.

Investigators want to inspect mansions allegedly occupied by several of Estrada’s mistresses — and some prosecutors have suggested they may call the mistresses to the stand. Such a move could give millions of poor Filipinos an inside look at the president’s lifestyle and bring back memories of the shock that swept the nation after the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, when his wife’s thousands of shoes were discovered.

Estrada has reportedly fathered seven children with five women other than his wife. Critics say he acquired the mansions with unexplained wealth.

Estrada denies buying the mansions, but his lawyers have balked at the idea of inspecting them, giving the opposition plenty of ammunition. Estrada’s foes say it’s typically the owner of a property who would object to a search.

“It would seem that they’re overly concerned about the houses. I don’t know why,” said Joker Arroyo, one of 11 congressmen acting as prosecutors.

The trial process is a virtual mirror of the U.S. impeachment system that acquitted President Clinton last year on charges he lied about sexual escapades with a White House intern.

Like in the United States, it would take a vote of at least two-thirds of the 22 senators to remove Estrada from office. He may have the support to hang on: Eight senators are viewed as likely to vote for acquittal.

But his many opponents say they will continue to fight for his removal even if he is acquitted. That has stirred worries about the process of reconciliation if Estrada remains in office amid widespread public discontent.

Huge public protests are expected outside the trial, and thousands of police will try to maintain order.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel said the goal is a fair verdict, despite any “external pressures.”

“All this noise makes it more difficult for us to do our thing, to deliver impartial justice without interference,” Pimentel said.