January 21, 2002, AFP, Philippines forms special court to try ex-president Estrada,

January 21, 2002, AFP, Philippines forms special court to try ex-president Estrada,

MANILA, Jan 21 (AFP) -

A special anti-graft court has been created to try all corruption cases against deposed Philippines president Joseph Estrada, Supreme Court sources said Monday.

The special division of the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court would be dissolved once it had handed down verdicts in the cases against Estrada, said the sources, who asked not to be identified.

The ex-president's corruption trial began in mid-2001 and has been plodding along with hearings twice a week.

It was disrupted late last year after the presiding judge went on sick leave, while the Supreme Court also suspended the Sandiganbayan supervising judge for three months over an unrelated case.

Estrada theoretically faces the death penalty if found guilty of plunder or massive corruption. He has been detained at a military hospital in suburban Manila since May, four months after a military-backed popular revolt forced him from power.

The 64-year-old has denied charges that he took bribes from illegal gambling operators, skimmed off state funds and engaged in insider trading, among others.

The Supreme Court sources said the special Sandiganbayan division would be presided over by Justice Minita Nazario, with justices Edilberto Sandoval and Teresita de Castro as senior and junior members respectively.