Arroyo promises to pursue cases against Estrada

Arroyo promises to pursue cases against Estrada

MANILA (AP): President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday
assured leaders of groups which helped oust predecessor Joseph
Estrada that her administration would firmly pursue criminal
cases against him.

Arroyo came under fire from leftist radicals and other anti-
Estrada groups for not opposing the detained leader's demand to
be released to house arrest. Many perceived her refusal to oppose
house arrest as an attempt to win the hearts of Estrada's many
poor followers.

Estrada and son Jinggoy were arrested April 25 on the non-
bailable, capital offense of economic plunder.

Over lunch at the presidential palace on Friday, Arroyo told
anti-Estrada protest leaders she was not softening up on him and
that government prosecutors would relentlessly pursue cases
against the former action film star before the Sandiganbayan
anti-graft court.

Walking a political tightrope, Arroyo repeated she personally
would not object to Estrada's request to be detained in his
luxurious Manila home for comfort and security, but she
contradictorily vowed he would get nothing special.

"She gave an assurance that there is no adjustment, no
concessions or special treatment being given to Estrada," said
Satur Ocampo, a left-wing leader who attended the dialogue with
Arroyo.

Arroyo also said her administration will pursue cases against
leaders of an alleged plot to topple her from power last May 1,
according to those who attended the meeting.

Down and slightly ill in a heavily secured military hospital,
Estrada remains a dilemma to Arroyo.

Granting him certain amenities in detention could quiet his
mostly impoverished followers, whose support Arroyo has been
courting. At the same time, it could alienate many left-wing and
church groups which fought to oust Estrada.

Arroyo, a U.S.-educated economist and daughter of a former
president, was thrust to the presidency when Estrada fell from
power Jan. 20 amid huge street protests.

With only a shaky coalition of anti-Estrada groups as her base
of support, Arroyo faces formidable challenges, including
reviving the country's limping economy, taming two raging
insurgencies and forging unity in a country with many politically
divergent groups.

She's also widely expected to run in 2004 presidential
elections. Her chances would greatly depend on how she deals with
the country's problems and builds a support base.

Ocampo said he understands Arroyo's dilemma but added she
should not give any concession that could absolve Estrada of
criminal liability or ease punishment.

Prosecutors accuse Estrada of illegally amassing $82 million
during 31 months in office. He denies any wrongdoing.

Teodoro Casino, another left-wing leader who met Arroyo, said
they also suggested her administration craft a comprehensive
anti-poverty program instead of the current program of providing
livelihood to shantytown residents which is perceived more as an
effort to mollify Estrada supporters.

More than a third of the country's 76 million people are poor.