Prosecutors insist P90 M — not P130 M — delivered to Erap

Contrary to what detained President Joseph Estrada’s lawyers claim, government prosecutors insisted yesterday that only P90 million of the P130 million in kickback money was delivered to Estrada at his San Juan home in 1998.

"We have bank records that only P90 million was brought by (Estrada’s friend Charlie) Ang. It was established during the trial (at the Sandiganbayan)," Chief Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio told The STAR.

Ang, better known as "Atong," stands accused along with Estrada on charges of plunder, perjury and illegal use of an alias in connection with illegal wealth reportedly amassed by the former president from gambling payoffs and business kickbacks.

Villa Ignacio downplayed claims of victory by Estrada’s lawyers, who demonstrated on Tuesday that P130 million in demonetized notes lent by the Central Bank could not fit into four boxes.

Prosecution witness Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson claimed that four boxes containing P130 million in P1,000 bills were brought by Ang to Estrada’s residence on Polk street in North Greenhills in August 1998, just months after he assumed office.

The size of the boxes used in the alleged delivery — each measuring 15 inches long by 12 inches wide by 10 inches deep — was determined from Singson’s earlier testimony.

The defense claimed the demonstration proved Singson’s charges that P130 million was delivered to be false.

"To us, that is no longer relevant. That is immaterial," Villa Ignacio said. He explained that Singson really thought P130 million in cash had been delivered to Estrada because the money came from his kickbacks in tobacco excise taxes.

Villa Ignacio said "withdrawals" were made by Ang before the money was actually delivered, noting this was the reason why Estrada got mad at Ang when Singson reminded the deposed leader that the cash was supposed to amount to P130 million.

"The P90 million forms part of the P130 million. It was brought inside the residence of Estrada. And Ang said the balance was set aside for (Estrada’s) son and wife, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Luisa Ejercito," he said.

Lead defense lawyer Rene Saguisag said Tuesday that since the physical evidence showed that P130 million did not fit into the four boxes, Estrada should be acquitted.

Saguisag and his colleagues Jose Flaminiano and Serafin Cuevas insisted before the Sandiganbayan special division that Villa Ignacio’s version claiming that only P90 million was delivered to Estrada’s home had not been established by evidence.