Lim clears Erap in ambush attempt on Chavit

Testifying at Joseph Estrada’s corruption trial yesterday, Sen. Alfredo Lim told the court that the former president had denied any involvement in a purported assassination attempt on Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson.

That incident prompted Singson in late 2000 to go to the media and publicly accuse Estrada of running an illegal gambling protection racket, among other accusations, triggering the former actor’s downfall.

"Why would I think of that when he is a friend? He is a close friend. I have nothing to do with it," Lim quoted Estrada as saying after informing the former president about the purported assassination attempt.

Lim was Estrada’s interior secretary at the time.

Singson claims that Estrada wanted to eliminate him upon the prodding of Charlie Ang, an Estrada gambling buddy and suspected jueteng baron, after Singson had a falling-out with his drinking buddy.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, then chief of the Philippine National Police, was allegedly put in charge of the actual liquidation plan.

Singson had claimed he was stopped by several police officers for running a red light in Ermita, Manila late at night in the latter part of the year 2000.

He suspected an assassination attempt because of the number of police officers that pulled him over. Singson said he escaped the attempt because the officers didn’t recognize him.

Lim told the court that he had asked Lacson about the supposed assassination attempt. Lacson told him that the incident "was just an ordinary routine check" because Singson ran a red light and his vehicle was fitted with an illegal police siren.

Lim conceded in an interview with reporters after the hearing that he found Singson’s apprehension "unusual." He did not elaborate.

Chief state prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio told reporters that Lim’s testimony bolstered Singson’s accusations against Estrada. "We thank Senator Lim for being straightforward and candid in his testimony."

At the Senate, meanwhile, Lacson denied any involvement in the supposed plot. "First, that’s not true. Second, his testimony is all hearsay. I don’t see any probative value. It doesn’t bother me," he told reporters seeking his comment on Lim’s testimony.

Estrada was ousted in 2001 by a military-backed popular uprising following Singson’s accusations that he illegally amassed up to P4 billion from an illegal gambling protection racket that he ran during his 31-month presidency.

He also allegedly pocketed state funds intended for tobacco farmers. Estrada was replaced by then vice president Gloria Arroyo.

Estrada denies the charges and maintains his ouster was illegal and he therefore enjoys parliamentary immunity.

Singson’s accusations led to Estrada’s unprecedented impeachment in 2000.

It ended, however, in a farce when the Estrada-controlled Senate, acting as a tribunal, refused to admit as evidence an envelope believed to contain documents proving the corruption allegations.

The Senate vote resulted in a public outrage that was eventually backed by the military, forcing Estrada to leave Malacañang.

Ang fled the Philippines following Estrada’s ouster in 2001. He was arrested in the United States last year and is currently undergoing extradition proceedings. — With Pia Lee-Brago, Christina Mendez