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January 9, 2001, Sun Star, Defense gets death threats too: Erap,

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January 9, 2001, Sun Star, Defense gets death threats too: Erap,

MANILA -- President Estrada yesterday claimed that senators and two defense lawyers involved in his continuing corruption trial had received death threats.

His comments came after Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., who acts as presiding officer in the impeachment trial, said Friday he had received a threat to his life.

Reacting to Davide's statement, Estrada told reporters in Malacañang, "He is not the only one with a death threat. All of the senators have gotten death threats."

His two chief defense lawyers, Estelito Mendoza and Andres Narvasa, had received similar warnings, he added.

The President also lashed out at the prosecutors in the case for trying to drag his wife, Luisa Ejercito, into the trial. "The real agenda of the opposition is destruction, to destroy my family."

"If they could, they would even destroy my mother. They want to destroy me and not only me but my entire family," he told reporters.

After the 16th day of the impeachment trial ended Friday night, the prosecution is yet to prove that part of President Estrada's wealth is ill-gotten.

'Incomplete'

Cebu lawyers Edgar Gica, Gloria Dalawampu and Elias Espinoza said that although witness Clarissa Ocampo was able to link President Estrada to the Jose Velarde account, the prosecutors have not yet presented evidence that the account is part of Estrada's alleged assets from illegal sources.

The defense has argued that Ocampo's testimony is immaterial and irrelevant to the graft and corruption charge against the President. (They refused to cross-examine her.)

Ocampo, Equitable PCI Bank vice president and trust officer, told the court last Dec. 22 that Estrada signed as Jose Velarde for the P500-million trust account in her bank.

"Unless they are able to connect (Ocampo's testimony) then the proceedings is still incomplete. They are presenting a blurred picture," Gica said in an interview.

Dalawampu, a director of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu city chapter, shares Gica's view.

As for star witness Luis "Chavit" Singson, the three lawyers believe that the cross-examination has discredited his testimony.

Security

Espinoza, IBP Cebu province president, noted that Singson had a selective memory, presented a self-serving ledger and failed to provide evidence that will confirm the authenticity of the ledger. (He was interviewed in a personal capacity.)

"His testimony could be fatal...we have to consider that Singson has ill motives against the President. He presented a very crude version of presenting money to the President," Dalawampu said.

Aside from corruption, the President is also facing bribery, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.

Estrada said the senators, who are acting as judges in the impeachment trial, and his lawyers had received threatening phone calls and black ribbons, a traditional symbol of funerals in the Philippines.

He said he had provided both senators and lawyers with security.

He did not say who was behind the threats, but noted they had come while the opposition was trying to pressure his aides and allies into deserting him, even to the point of staging protests near their homes.

Loi linked?

Estrada is being tried in Senate over charges he received huge bribes from illegal gambling bosses, skimmed off government funds and shielded his friends from government regulators.

The prosecution, made up of opposition congressmen, said Friday they would enter as evidence proof that First Lady Ejercito and an Estrada friend, William Gatchalian, received huge checks from the president's alleged bribe-collector, Governor Singson.

The documents indicated Ejercito received an P8-million check while Gatchalian received a P46-million check from Singson in 1999.

Estrada declined to comment on the accusations, citing his policy of not commenting on the corruption trial unless he is called to testify.

One of the prosecutors, Rep. Wigberto Tañada, said they would try to link the First Lady's check to reports Estrada stashed illegally acquired funds in secret bank accounts.

"This is ill-gotten wealth. There is already this prima facie presumption that the burden of evidence will shift to the defense who will then have to prove that this wealth was obtained through legal means," Tañada added.

Speaking on his weekly radio show, Estrada remained defiant, saying that "no matter what accusations are hurled against my person by my political enemies, I will not back down in fighting for the welfare of my countrymen."

Revamp

In a move to show his administration was still active despite the corruption trial, Estrada swore in a new chief aide, Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara, who promised to turn things around.

"This is a new beginning, a new administration," Angara was quoted as saying in a Palace statement.

"We must show the people that despite the political controversy we can deliver public services in a more open and effective way," added Angara, who served as agriculture secretary.

He replaces Ronaldo Zamora, who resigned as executive secretary to run in congressional elections in May.

Estrada said he would name three new cabinet secretaries next week as part of a wider revamp. (AFP with Giovanni A. Nilles)

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