Philippines: Forfeiture case vs Estrada’s assets a job of Sandiganbayan — Devanadera

The Department of Justice (DOJ) today washed its hands of the forfeiture case involving the assets of former President Joseph Estrada, saying it�s the job of the Sandiganbayan, and beyond the control of the Executive department.

�The matter is beyond the Executive department already,� acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera pointed out. �We are concerned only with the grant of pardon. What comes after that is to be addressed by the Sandiganbayan.�

The anti-graft court has announced that it will implement starting today (Tuesday) the writ of execution it had issued for the forfeiture of Estrada�s assets in a bid to recover some P735 million in bank deposits plus �interest and income earned.�

The writ covers the P545-million deposit under the controversial Jose Velarde account and another P200-million account under the Erap Muslim Youth Foundation.

The writ of execution, issued Nov. 6, also orders the forfeiture of the Boracay Mansion in New Manila, Quezon City.

Devanadera said the Sandiganbayan would have to comply with the conditional pardon President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had granted to Estrada, specifically the forfeiture of properties listed in the latest statement of assets and liabilities of the former president.

The Sandiganbayan was forced to implement the writ of execution after the Estrada camp failed to voluntarily turn over the bank deposits and the Boracay Mansion despite a five-day deadline it had given to the former president. The deadline lapsed last Monday.

Subject of the forfeiture are properties listed in the former president�s latest statements of assets and liabilities, including expensive houses, cars and furnitures.

On Nov. 9, Estrada�s lawyers filed a motion with the Supreme Court to quash the writ of execution and prevent the anti-graft court from seizing Estrada�s assets that were not in question during his six-year plunder trial.

In a radio interview, Sandiganbayan sheriff Eduardo Urieta said that as long as the Sandiganbayan has not received a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, the anti-graft court will implement the forfeiture order against Estrada.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: INBOX is an archive of press releases, statements, announcements, letters to the editors, and manifestos sent to PinoyPress for publication. Please email your materials to pinoypress @ gmail.com. PinoyPress is not responsible for the content of these materials. The opinion expessed in these items does not reflect those of PinoyPress and its staff. Please refer to our terms of use/disclaimer.