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Philippine Ex-President Gets Life

Estrada guilty of plundering millions

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 12, 2007 5:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – Disgraced Philippine ex-president and former movie star Joseph Estrada was sentenced to life in prison today for plundering  $85 million from the nation's treasury. Estrada, 70— still popular despite his 2001 ouster amid corruption charges—returned under house arrest to his villa near Manila until his appeals are heard.

There was a peaceful demonstration by 300 Estrada supporters outside court, but one political analyst said the protests could become violent if he is jailed. "If Estrada will be handcuffed, brought to prison, wearing an orange suit and that is shown on national television, that will have a very big impact on the Filipino people emotionally," he said.

Supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada display posters as they angrily shout slogans after hearing the anti-graft court's decision Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007 in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila. Estrada was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday after a landmark six-year trial on charges that he took bribes and...
Supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada display posters as they angrily shout slogans after hearing the anti-graft court's decision Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007 in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila....   (Associated Press)
Deposed Philippine President Joseph Estrada shouts to reporters before he leaves the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, on Wednesday Sept. 12, 2007. Estrada, who once pulled off the Philippines' biggest election victory, was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday after a landmark six-year trial on...
Deposed Philippine President Joseph Estrada shouts to reporters before he leaves the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, on Wednesday Sept. 12, 2007. Estrada, who...   (Associated Press)
Mug shot of former Philippine President Joseph Estrada (AP Photo/Philippine National Police, File)
Mug shot of former Philippine President Joseph Estrada (AP Photo/Philippine National Police, File)   (Associated Press)
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