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NATION/W ORLD ne Micnigan Daiy -uesaay, Apri 1, 2001-11A
Ousted Filipino leader turns himself in to police
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Former President Joseph
Estrada turned himself in yesterday after an arrest warrant
was issued. In a new humiliation, the ousted president was
fingerprinted by police before being released on bond.
It was believed to be the first time the Philippines has
sued an arrest warant against a president. The special
Siti-graft court vowed to make an example of Estrada in
his successor Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's fight against
corruption.
"Nobody is above the law," said Narciso S. Nario, one of
the justices in the Sandiganbayan, the special anti-graft
court. "We have to bring to court anybody who violates the
law whether he is the most powerful man in the country or
the lowliest laborer."
Estrada was forced to leave the presidential palace on Jan.
20 by mass protests demanding he resign over a corruption
scandal.
In a sign of how far he has fallen since, police yesterday
&gerprinted Estrada, who submitted his own mug shots.
Flanked by bodyguards, he was accompanied by his wife -
who is running for Senate in May 14 elections - and three
of his children.
Arraignment was scheduled for May 17, three days after
a MOM
the balloting. Estrada has professed his innocence and
accused rivals of fabricating the charges.
There have been concerns that arresting Estrada could
spark protests among the poor, the backbone of his support.
About 30 supporters greeted him outside his posh Manila
home before he headed to the court, where a similar number
of backers waited.
As riot police watched, the crowd swelled to about 500
people before dispersing after Estrada left.
"We'll go to jail with him. We will give our lives to him,
including that of my, grandson," said Milagros Galiano, a 56-
year-old vendor holding an 8-year-old child. "He's a good
person, unlike other bad presidents."
On the same day that a new corruption accusation was
filed against Estrada in connection with a land deal, the
Sandiganbayan issued a warrant yesterday for his arrest
on two of the eight charges already filed against him.
Prosecutors said some charges were being withdrawn so
they can concentrate on the most serious accusation, plunder.
It is a capital offense, and no bail is available.
The warrant charges were graft, for allegedly skimming
$2.6 million in tobacco taxes, and perjury for allegedly mis-
stating net assets of $700,000 in 1991. They carry total bail
"Nobody is above the law. We have to bring to court anybody
who violates the law whether he is the most powerful man in
the country or the lowliest laborer."
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