PHILIPPINES: ESTRADA IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: WITNESS

Tagalog/Eng/Nat
XFA
A witness in the impeachment trial of President Joseph Estrada testified on Thursday that a presidential aide ordered her to start two shell companies that prosecutors say Estrada used to hide bribe money.

Estrada has remained defiant, calling the charges politically motivated.

President Estrada is continuing his effort to firm up support among the poorer people of the Philippines.

He handed out awards to workers on Thursday in what has become a weekly ritual.

The president has been charged with four impeachable offenses stemming from profits skimmed from an illegal gambling scheme and tobacco taxes.

Estrada, or Erap as he is popularly known, has said he will not step down, but will be acquitted in the impeachment trial.

The opposition has called for him to resign to ease the country's economic slide.

Estrada's popularity has remained strong during the impeachment according to various surveys.

Estrada did make it clear that he thinks the controversy is hurting the nation.

SOUNDBITE: (Tagalog)
"I believe that after all of this the truth will prevail. Now I am calling on all of the people who are causing trouble to focus on things that can help our country. We should listen to the voice of all of our people, not just a rich few in Makati."
SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Estrada, Philippines President

On Thursday a witness in the impeachment trial, attorney Jazmin Banal, said Edward Serapio told her to sign documents founding the companies and then turn them over to an unknown owner.

In addition to being a presidential aide, Serapio is a senior partner in the law firm where Banal works.

Prosecutors said further testimony will trace an intricate paper trail to prove Estrada used the companies as a base to invest bribes from illegal gambling lords.

While Banal was being questioned a conflict appeared between pro and anti-Estrada senators.

Senator Miriam Santiago, who supports Estrada tried to cast a bad light on the witness for a job change she made to a lower-paying position.

But Senator Raul Roco appeared to be taking aim at Santiago during his questioning, indicating that Banal made the change for idealistic reasons.

Senator Santiago ordered three members of the audience thrown out after she claimed they were making "provocative gestures" at her.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"May I request the Chief Justice to discipline, at the very least to admonish and to reprimand this group, that feels itself so high above the law."
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Miriam Santiago, Impeachment Judge

The incident underlines the high political value placed on the nationally televised trial.

Also on the stand on Thursday and Friday was Emily Padua, an lawyer with Pagcor the official government agency overseeing legal gambling.

Prosecutors asked her to corroborate the testimony of chief Estrada accuser, Governor Luis Singson, who connected Estrada to profits from illegal gambling.

While Padua was on the stand, another senator discovered a camera microphone pointed toward the senators' seats despite rules allowing only a central microphone.

Senators said the device may have recorded their private conversations.

The trial will recess over the weekend and reconvene on Monday.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/58cafee445100fb60cae48743f359cdb
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

Видео PHILIPPINES: ESTRADA IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: WITNESS канала AP Archive