Erap’s lawyers want inspection of San Juan residence

Former President Joseph Estrada’s lawyers have asked the Sandiganbayan yesterday for an inspection of Estrada’s Greenhills, San Juan residence in an attempt to debunk allegations that he received bribes from illegal gambling operators during his aborted presidency.

Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson, the prosecution’s main witness, had testified that he and Estrada associate Charlie Ang once delivered P130 million in cash to Estrada’s residence in August 1998, just months after Estrada assumed office.

The money was allegedly paid as regular kickbacks to Estrada.

Defense lawyers have disputed Singson’s account, arguing that such a large amount of cash would be too heavy for them to carry.

"It was improbable for Ang to have carried so much money in the time and space described by Singson," said lawyer Rene Saguisag.

"We need to have an idea, then, how many times Ang supposedly undertook the task. The prosecution should join — not thwart — us. But it realizes that the more times it took Ang to do what he did, the more the credibility of the tale would suffer."

Defense lawyers argue that P1 million in P1,000 bills would weigh about one kilo.

"People not used to carrying heavy loads would not risk serious injury by tempting their (spinal) discs to slip. It is doubtful that the normal, ordinary person can carry two unwieldy boxes weighing more than a sack of rice," Saguisag said in his four-page motion to the anti-graft court.

"Presidential homes, like the official one, always crawl with people, beginning with security. Only an ocular inspection can settle the distances and related issues concerned," he said.

The prosecution, however, pointed out that the P130 million was allegedly not delivered all at once but in several batches that day.

Lead prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio noted that none of the prosecution witnesses said the money had been brought to the Estrada residence all at one time.

The money came in four boxes and these were delivered by Ang and his aides, Villa Ignacio said.

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

He was replaced by then vice president Gloria Arroyo.

Estrada also allegedly pocketed state funds intended for tobacco farmers. He allegedly laundered his stash in local bank accounts under the alias "Jose Velarde."

He denies the charges and maintains his ouster was illegal and that he enjoys parliamentary immunity.

At his unprecedented impeachment trial in January 2001, the Estrada-controlled Senate refused to accept as evidence an envelope purportedly containing the Jose Velarde bank documents.

However, the Senate vote sparked the uprising that later unseated Estrada.