Sandigan orders seizure of Erap assets

(Updated 5:42 p.m.) The Sandiganbayan has ordered its sheriff Ed Urieta to take action on the seizure of the ill-gotten wealth of pardoned former President Joseph Estrada, radio dzBB reported Monday. In a two-page writ of execution, the Sandiganbayan told Urieta to enforce the forfeiture of Estrada's properties "in favor of the government." The amount under contention involves about P735 million in bank deposits as well as the run-down "Boracay Mansion" in New Manila, Quezon City. This excludes, however, "interest and income earned" that the antigraft court also sought to recover. "Whereas, on October 26, 2007, an order was issued by the special division of this court ordering the issuance of the writ of execution for the satisfaction of the judgment which is not covered by the executive clemency granted to former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada," radio dzBB read the Sandiganbayan order. It added that, "Now, therefore, you (Urieta) are hereby commanded to cause the forfeiture in favor of the government of the aforementioned amount and property listed in the said dispositive portion of the decision including payment in full of your lawful fees for the service of the writ." Urieta told dzBB radio that the enforcement of the order does not carry a deadline ("Walang deadline ito"). He said he was tasked to give "reports" on the matter within 30 days. "This is a difficult task placed upon my shoulders, but I will only do what is required under the law," Urieta said in Filipino. Justices had ordered that the deposed leader return these assets to the Filipino people. Failure to do so potentially carries repercussions on Estrada's freedom. He gained executive clemency on October 25 and walked out of his rest house in Tanay, Rizal a free man the next day. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's order for Estrada's pardon specifically stated that, the "forfeitures imposed by the Sandiganbayan remain in force and in full including all writs and processes issued by the Sandiganbayan in pursuance hereof except for the bank account(s) he owned before his (Estrada's) tenure as President." The Sandiganbayan ruling covered P542.701 million plus interests and income – including the P200-million deposited under the account of the Erap Muslim Youth Foundation, P189.7 million worth of "Jose Velarde" accounts including interest and income earned. Urieta told dzBB radio on Monday that the "Jose Velarde" accounts reflect a paltry balance of P2,000. Militant groups had bemoaned that the Sandiganbayan should also go after more than P3 billion that Estrada had also been accused of illegally amassing during his presidency. The writ of execution reportedly ordered Estrada to pay the amount in cash, certified bank checks or other modes of payment, the report said. Should he fail to pay, the report said, Estrada has to substitute the amount through other properties. Last September 12, the Sandiganbayan judged Estrada guilty of plunder and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, or a jail term of up to 40 years. The former president was, however, acquitted of the lesser crime of perjury. The antigraft court allowed Estrada to remain detained in his Tanay resthouse "until further order" of the Sandiganbayan, but ordered the forfeiture of his bank accounts and Estrada’s so-called Boracay Mansion in New Manila, Quezon City in favor of the Philippine government. - GMANews.TV