(CMFR/IFEX) – Embattled former president Joseph Estrada is set to file a Php 30 million (approx: US$580,000) libel suit against a Manila-based national daily and two individuals for accusing him of involvement in a money-laundering operation. According to Rufus Rodriguez, Estrada’s legal counsel, the former president will sue “Manila Standard Today” for publishing a series […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – Embattled former president Joseph Estrada is set to file a Php 30 million (approx: US$580,000) libel suit against a Manila-based national daily and two individuals for accusing him of involvement in a money-laundering operation.
According to Rufus Rodriguez, Estrada’s legal counsel, the former president will sue “Manila Standard Today” for publishing a series of “malicious” articles based on the exposés made by former beauty queen Joelle Marie Pelaez and her mother. Pelaez and her mother are also to be named respondents in the planned libel suit.
In a series of articles that appeared in “Manila Standard Today” in May 2006, Pelaez accused Estrada of using her name and signature to embezzle more than Php 2 billion (approx. US$US38.7 million) worth of stocks, bonds, and cash certificates through transactions with a government-owned bank. Estrada was said to have allegedly courted the United States-based Pelaez in 2000 by giving her expensive gifts.
However, the Sandiganbayan Special Division, which is the court handling the plunder and perjury trial of Estrada, who was ousted by a popular revolt early 2001, decided on 17 July to not allow former president Joseph Estrada to leave his detention quarters in Tanay, Rizal, to file the libel case against “Manila Standard Today” and the Pelaezes.
The court decided instead that a government prosecutor would go to Estrada’s detention place to receive Estrada’s oath regarding the authenticity of the complaint his lawyers will file before the Pasig City prosecutor’s office.
