Subpoena Chavit’s employees, government lawyers ask Sandiganbayan

Prosecutors in the plunder trial of ousted President Joseph Estrada asked the Sandiganbayan yesterday to summon five other witnesses who could corroborate the testimony of star witness Luis "Chavit" Singson that he delivered "millions of pesos" in jueteng money to the former leader’s home on Polk street in Greenhills, San Juan.

Last Wednesday, the grueling, 13-day cross-examination of the former Ilocos Sur governor ended.

In his motion, Prosecutor Humphrey Monteroso asked the anti-graft court’s special division to call to the stand Singson’s messenger Jemis Singson, his driver Faustino Prudencio, his two police bodyguards Senior Police Officers 2 Vicente Amistad and Federico Artates, and lawyer Edward Ibera.

"We pray that this Honorable Court issue subpoenas to Jemis Singson, SPO2 Amistad and Artates, Atty. Ibara and Prudencio to let them testify on Sept. 16, 18, 25, 30; Oct. 7, 9, 14 and 19," read the motion.

Solicitor General Simeon Marcelo said the testimonies of the five witnesses would bolster Singson’s and his personal secretary Emma Lim’s testimonies that Estrada was engaged in a jueteng protection racket when he was president.

After their testimonies, the prosecution will present Clarissa Ocampo, former executive of Equitable PCI Bank to prove that Estrada owns the controversial Jose Velarde bank account, he added.

In her testimony, Lim said she delivered P5 million to Estrada in Malacañang, which was received by Malou Florendo, the ousted president’s personal secretary.

Lim said she collected the P5 million on two occasions from alleged jueteng kingpin Rodolfo "Bong" Pineda in his home in East Greenhills, San Juan.

Lim also testified that she got P1 million from former San Juan mayor Jinggoy Estrada, the former Chief Executive’s son.

On the other hand, Singson said he delivered P5 million every 15 days to Estrada’s home on Polk Street, as well as in a house on P. Guevarra Street, San Juan and in Malacañang.

But Singson said the Sandiganbayan must immediately resolve the cases of Estrada to prevent a violent election on 2004 when the next presidential polls would be held. –Jose Rodel Clapano