Estrada lawyers buck early arraignment

Former President Joseph Estrada and his son San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada are opposing moves by the Ombudsman to set their arraignment over a month earlier than scheduled.

Estrada’s lawyer, former Sen. Rene Saguisag, argued in open court at the Sandiganbayan that two of the Estradas’ co-accused — Charlie "Atong" Ang and Yolanda Ricaforte — have yet to be extradited from the United States.

"We don’t know why the Ombudsman is in a hurry at this time," Saguisag said. "There are no compelling reasons to set the arraignment to an earlier date. With all the pending motions that this court has yet to resolve, I don’t think the earlier arraignment being sought by the prosecution would be logical."

The Ombudsman wants the arraignment moved from June 27 to May 21.

Ombudsman Aniano Desierto countered that the prosecution wants an earlier arraignment for the Estradas and their co-accused to prevent the plunder case against them from being delayed.

"I don’t want another Marcos trial to happen," Desierto said, referring to cases filed against heirs of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos that remain unresolved 15 years after his ouster. "The court will get confused."

Desierto said the prosecution will be presenting witnesses seven times if the court does not allow them to have an earlier arraignment and bail hearing for all the accused.

"We are insisting on a speedy trial," he said. "If they really have strong evidence, they should not have blocked our plea for an earlier arraignment."

Desierto said the prosecution can complete the presentation of witnesses and evidences within six months if the Estradas would be arraigned on May 21.

"This will mean that we could finish the case within one year," he said.

Desierto also said the Estradas and their co-accused should be arraigned before any bail hearing as there is a big possibility that they may jump bail.

"(Meaning) if they are allowed to post bail without being arraigned first," he said.

Lawyer Manuel Corato, a vital prosecution witness, and his family have been threatened with death by a former intelligence officer, he added.

Associate Justice Anacleto Badoy, chairman of the Sandiganbayan’s their division, has given the defense and prosecution 15 days to submit their responses.–Jose Rodel Clapano