Defense slams prosecution tactic

A lawyer for President Estrada slammed prosecution tactics in alleging his client bought a mansion for a mistress, saying the charge aimed to poison public opinion during the impeachment trial.

Deputy chief counsel Estelito Mendoza said yesterday the defense would oppose any prosecution attempt to introduce as evidence a check for P142.6 million said to have been signed by Mr. Estrada to buy the mansion.

Prosecutor Joker Arroyo displayed the check while making his opening argument on Thursday at the start of Mr. Estrada’s impeachment trial at the Se-nate, which is expected to run through January.

Mr. Estrada is charged with bribery, corruption, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution. He has denied the charges and said the trial will vindicate him.

Arroyo said the check for P142.6 million was signed by Mr. Estrada using a false name.

Mendoza, in a radio interview, said allegations that Mr. Estrada had bought mansions for his mistresses were not part of the articles of impeachment or formal indictments against the President.

"That is not part of the charges, that is an extra. It is very unfair because it seeks to develop prejudice in the public mind against the President on a matter that is not before the Se-nate," Mendoza said.

The list of charges against Mr. Estrada, who has admitted to extramarital relations before he became President, made no specific mention of the alleged purchase of mansions for his mistresses.

A vote by two-thirds of the Senate, which has 22 members, is required to convict and remove the President from office. Conviction on any one of the four charges against him is enough to oust him. Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would become president if Mr. Estrada is forced out of office.

Dozens of protesters demanding Mr. Estrada’s re-signation maintained an overnight vigil outside the Senate building as the chamber prepared for the resumption of the trial at 2 p.m. yesterday.

Encamped under a streamer reading "Guard the Senate," the protesters were treated to rock music by a local band to keep them awake.

About 30,000 Estrada critics marched to the Se-nate last Thursday and called on the President to step down immediately to save the country from further political turmoil.

Mr. Estrada, speaking to local officials at Malacañang yesterday while signing several bills approved by Congress, said the signing ceremony "is a clear signal to our citizens and to the rest of the world that it is business as usual in the Philippines."

He declined comment on the proceedings at his trial, where prosecutors presented a new witness yesterday.