Erap denies hand in release of P200-M tobacco excise tax

Jailed ex-president Joseph Estrada said he had no hand in the release of P200 million in tobacco excise tax collections during his term as president as he defended himself in the plunder and perjury trial before the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday. Estrada told the anti-graft court special division that he had no knowledge about the allegations made by Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit" Singson. Estrada said Singson used the former president’s name when the governor ordered provincial treasurers to facilitate the immediate release of the tax collections. Singson, Estrada said, used him as scapegoat to cover up the paper trail on the “missing’ P130 million. “Kailanman hindi ko siya inutusan para pagtakpan ang kanyang unliquidated cash advances. Ginigipit na siya ng [Commission on Audit] kaya pilit niyang ipinapasa sa akin ang kanyang mga ginagawa," Estrada said. The defense panel showed Estrada documentary evidence presented by the prosecution panel, including bank documents and a bank check allegedly covering the transfer of the tax kickbacks. Estrada told the court it was the first time he saw the documents. Estrada was forced to leave the presidential palace in 2001 amid allegations he received kickbacks from the numbers racket jueteng and reports that he diverted money from the tobacco excise tax. Critics also accused Estrada of colluding with businessman Dante Tan to manipulate stock market prices. Estrada read to the court a certification and demand letter addressed to Singson from lawyer Agustin Chan Jr., the late provincial auditor for Ilocos Sur, seeking an explanation on the status and expenditure of the P120-million cash advances Singson reportedly maded. Singson repeatedly ignored Chan’s demand letters, reports said. Chan and his driver, Alex Recacho, were later killed by still unidentified gunmen in Paing, Bantay, in Ilocos Sur. The provincial auditor was killed a few weeks after he asked Singson for an expenditure report. Evelyn Rulla-Chan, Agustin’s widow, accused Singson of masterminding the death of her husband. Evelyn and her children attended the hearing Wednesday to “appeal to the conscience of Singson, who is also here at the Sandiganbayan." She was accompanied by members of the defense panel led by lawyer Rene Saguisag. “We hope we would soon get justice for the death of our beloved," Mrs. Chan said. Singson told GMA 7's DZBB that the National Bureau of Investigation failed to find probable cause of his involvement in Chan's death. He said he would never resort to killing his critics and politic opponents. ‘GAG ORDER’ The Sandiganbayan later Wednesday ordered Estrada’s lawyers and government prosecutors to stop talking to the media about the ongoing trial of the former president. Presiding Justice Teresita Leonardo De Castro reminded the lawyers of an earlier agreement that they would respect court procedures and not give statements that would be detrimental to the case. “No one will grant any more interviews. We will maintain that understanding," De Castro said. The court reminded the lawyers after defense counsel Saguisag complained about remarks made by Singson, the prosecution’s star witness, that said Saguisag “never won any case." Singson also accused Estrada of lying when the former leader said he turned down a $14-million offer from the Industrias Metalurgicas Pescarmona Sociedad Anonima. Singson said Estrada went to Argentina to negotiate for a deal to rehabilitate a geothermal plant. Saguisag also objected to a published interview of Senator Panfilo Lacson where the senator said Estrada tolerated the numbers racket jueteng to raise funds for a scholarship program. Saguisag said the statements were part of an effort to “try and convict [Estrada] by publicity." Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio said the defense panel has no right to cry foul, accusing Estrada’s lawyers of employing similar tactics by producing and distributing two documentary films that declares Estrada’s innocence. Villa-Ignacio said members of the defense panel and Estrada himself grant interviews to the media and discuss the details of the case. He said the prosecution panel would agree to an absolute gag order if it would include Estrada and his spokesmen. Jose Flaminiano, co-lead counsel for Estrada, expressed reservations about the policy. He said there are portions of the trial that non-lawyers may find hard to understand. “Even if there are representatives of the media covering the proceedings inside the courtroom, there are instances when they cannot follow what is going on and they find it necessary to seek clarification afterwards," Flaminiano said. He said lawyers can still observe court decorum even if they explain to reporters the case as long as the counsels do not tackle the effect of an evidence or a testimony. Associate Justice Francisco Villaruz said both the prosecution and the defense panels were guilty of flouting sub judice rules. “Both sides have been violating the rules. That’s why we have to impose limitations," he said. Both parties were told to submit their respective memorandum on the matter. Estrada took the witness stand for the second time on Wednesday accompanied by family members Senators Luisa and Jinggoy, San Juan Mayor JV, son Jude and daughter Jackie. He entered the courtroom waving to press photographers around 9 a.m.. He started his testimony at 9:38 a.m. Also in the gallery to show their support for Estrada were former members of his Cabinet and Sen. Alfredo Lim, Rep. Imee Marcos (2D, Ilocos Norte) and former senator Ernesto Maceda. Seated beside Singson was Sandra Cam, a witness in the jueteng scandal that rocked the Arroyo administration last year. – GMANews.TV