The disgraced former president of the Philippines, Mr Joseph Estrada, faces charges relating to economic plunder, an offence that is punishable by death. The Philippine Ombudsman, Mr Aniano Desierto, announced yesterday that Mr Estrada would be served with a formal order today requiring him to answer the charges.
Eighteen other people, including Mr Estrada's wife and son, are also facing investigation on similar grounds. "His mantle of immunity has been removed. We are now compelled to start the investigation immediately," Mr Desierto said. The charges stemmed from allegations the former actor pocketed 130 million pesos ($2.6 million) in excise taxes intended for tobacco farmers. He is also accused of taking bribes from illegal gambling syndicates, enriching himself while in office and perjury.
The charges were similar to those filed against Mr Estrada before a Senate impeachment court which collapsed last week after prosecutors resigned from the case when vital evidence was disallowed. Protests which followed the collapse of the impeachment proceedings led to Mr Estrada being ousted from power and being replaced by the vice-president, Ms Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was dramatically sworn in as President at the weekend.
Ms Arroyo yesterday attended a flag-raising ceremony and announced a series of cabinet appointments from the palace.
However, it emerged that Mr Estrada may be considering challenging Ms Arroyo's presidency. The Senate President, Mr Aquilino Pimentel, said he had received a letter from the former president saying he was giving up power only temporarily.
A copy of the letter, dated January 20th, said: "I am unable to exercise the powers and duties of my office. By operation of law and the constitution, the Vice-President shall be the Acting President." Under the constitution, the president can reassume the presidency later if he states he is able to.
Mr Pimentel said it looked as if the basis for a constitutional challenge was being laid down by this letter. A similar letter was reported to have been received by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Arnulfo Fuentebella.
Meanwhile, the Defence Secretary who served under Mr Estrada, Mr Orlando Mercado, who has been retained by President Arroyo, said there was no threat to law and order.
"I don't think it is a security threat," he said of a possible move by Mr Estrada to challenge Ms Arroyo. "If at all, it's the political dynamics . . . in the House [of Representatives], the Senate, and the Supreme Court."
Mr Estrada was reported to have had a party at his suburban house on Sunday night with members of his Presidential Security Group. "He invited them to dinner, they took pictures, and they all had a good cry," an aide said.