January 9, 2001, Sun Star, P8M from Singson deposited in Loi's account, admits defense,

January 9, 2001, Sun Star, P8M from Singson deposited in Loi's account, admits defense,

MANILA -- The defense counsels Monday admitted that an P8-million check issued by Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson was indeed deposited in the account of First Lady Loi Ejercito with the Citibank in Greenhills.

This admission was made after lawyer Siegfrid Fortun admitted the stipulations made by Representative-Prosecutor Oscar Moreno.

Moreno told the impeachment court that Singson issued the check and that it was deposited to Ejercito's account on Oct. 4, 1999.

Ejercito is willing to appear before the impeachment court if her lawyers will allow her to do so.

Acting Press Secretary Michael Toledo told reporters the First Lady would take the witness stand at the Senate trial if advised by lawyers and "if it's really necessary for her to appear."

Prosecutors said the checks were crucial to prove that Estrada received money from Singson, whose expose on Estrada's alleged illegal activities led to the President's impeachment by the House of Representatives in November.

Moreno claimed the check was issued by Singson to Estrada through the President's personal auditor but had somehow found its way to his wife's account.

"What is important is that this P8-million check issued by Singson and given to Estrada as part of jueteng protection money eventually ended up in the bank account of the First Lady Luisa Ejercito," he said.

But Toledo said the accusations were part of the prosecution's plan to "muddle the issue by raising extraneous" points that were immaterial to any of the articles of impeachment against the president.

"She is willing (to testify) but this again is upon the advice by counsel," Toledo said.

Also at Monday's hearing, the prosecution said that Singson issued a P46.35-million check to William Gatchalian and which was deposited in the latter's account with the Citibank. This was also stipulated by the defense.

Moreno said this will prove that Singson also gave jueteng money to Gatchalian, on instruction of President Estrada.

Victor Lim, Citibank vice president, was called to the witness stand but his testimony was cut short for lack of time.

He only testified that the P8-million check was deposited to the account of Loi Ejercito at 4:40 p.m. of Oct. 4, 1999. The banking hours, he added, are only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Defense counsel Jose Flaminiano tried to object to having Lim testify about the account, arguing this has nothing to do with jueteng.

But Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. denied his objection as the court has yet to hear what Lim has to say about the account.