(CMFR/IFEX) – On 3 August 2006, former president Joseph Estrada filed a Php30-million (approx. US$582,000) libel action against the staff of a Manila-based newspaper and two individuals for allegedly accusing him of malicious charges. In his 19-page complaint, Estrada filed the case against reporter Christine Herrera and the editors of the “Manila Standard Today”, as […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – On 3 August 2006, former president Joseph Estrada filed a Php30-million (approx. US$582,000) libel action against the staff of a Manila-based newspaper and two individuals for allegedly accusing him of malicious charges.
In his 19-page complaint, Estrada filed the case against reporter Christine Herrera and the editors of the “Manila Standard Today”, as well as against Joelle Marie Pelaez and her mother, Blanquita, at his house in Tanay, Rizal, where he is being detained while tried on plunder charges.
Estrada said he was filing the libel suit to let people know that the charges leveled against him have ruined “his name, honor and integrity.”
Pelaez claimed that her name was used by Estrada and his allies to launder millions of dollars worth of government securities and bonds. She has filed cases against Estrada and a number of bank officials.
The story was published by “Standard Today” in a series of articles from 15 to19 May.
In a “Manila Standard Today” interview, Pelaez alleged that Estrada and his cronies used her name to launder Php 2.07 billion (approx. US$40.2 million) in securities, bonds and other debt instruments in 2000.
Estrada was ousted during a popular revolt on 24 January 2001, just under three years after he was elected as president, for charges of corruption and plunder.
