Estrada, hurt by charges, may testify at trial

MANILA, Philippines (Reuters) -- Philippine President Joseph Estrada is considering taking the stand at his impeachment trial to rebut a former ally's testimony that he took bribes from illegal gambling syndicates, a senior aide said on Thursday.

"Of course, he was hurt (by the charges)," Presidential Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said in a radio interview. "He is now deciding whether he will appear personally or not."

Provincial governor Luis "Chavit" Singson told the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday that he handed monthly gambling pay-offs to Estrada and that two of the president's sons and some of Estrada's aides also received payments.

VIDEO The governor who brought charges against Estrada-- Luis Singson-- explains his case Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Senate President Aquilino Pimentel-- a supporter of the prosecution-- talks with CNN's Maria Ressa Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     AUDIO Listen to Maria Ressa reporting on the situation in the Philippines 536K/49 sec. AIFF or WAV sound     PROFILES Key players in the Estrada impeachment case     RESOURCES Follow a timeline showing President Estrada's recent political crisis     MESSAGE BOARD Share your thoughts on today's events in the Philippines

Estrada has previously said he would be willing to testify at his trial but this would depend on the advice of his lawyers.

The presidential lawyers have said their decision on whether to put their client on the stand would depend on how the case developed and on prosecution evidence.

Estrada, nearly halfway through his six-year term, is charged with bribery, corruption, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution. Conviction on any one count is enough to remove him from office.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and said he will be acquitted.

A vote by two-thirds of the 22-member Senate, which is conducting the trial as an impeachment court, is required to convict him.

"We expect President Estrada to be acquitted and (then) the post-acquittal scenario will be important. We have to show that the government is running and will continue to run and that there will be reforms in the system," Zamora said.

"It does not mean that after winning the case, the matter would rest there. People are expecting a change not only in lifestyle but also in governance," he added.

Church and business leaders leading a campaign for Estrada to resign have questioned his morals and said he should step down because he is unfit to govern.

Estrada has admitted having had mistresses and children by them but said these were flings when he was still a movie actor.

Although Singson merely reiterated what he had previously said in the media and before a Senate inquiry panel, his testimony on Wednesday marked the first time that he accused the president in a legal proceeding.

Singson, a former presidential ally, plunged the country into one of its gravest political crises when he said in October that he had given Estrada about 400 million pesos ($8.0 million) in kickbacks from syndicates running underground lotteries called "jueteng."

He also accused Estrada of skimming 130 million pesos from excise taxes intended for tobacco farmers.

Prosecutors submitted to the trial an unsigned ledger which Singson said he himself prepared showing monthly collections from jueteng operators and supposed pay-offs to Estrada.

Estrada's name did not appear on the ledger but Singson said the initials "AS" on the list referred to "Asiong Salonga" -- the name of the lead in a film the president acted in when he was a movie star.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada
BAYAN Movement
Philippine House of Representatives

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