Depressed Estrada insists on innocence

Depressed Estrada insists on innocence

SINGAPORE (AFP): Detained former Philippine president Joseph
Estrada is "very depressed" ahead of his corruption trial next
week but insists he will be vindicated, according to remarks
published here on Monday.

Businessmen friends who used to seek his favor are not
visiting him in his hospital-prison, his knees are aching from
arthritis and Estrada, who faces a possible death sentence, is
still stunned at what has happened to him.

"I never imagined going into prison. I never dreamed of
becoming a prisoner," the 64-year-old former actor, deposed by a
popular uprising in January, told Singapore's Straits Times
newspaper.

"From mayor to senator, vice president, president and now, a
prisoner. I never imagined such a bitter fate will befall me. I
still cannot believe what has happened to me," he added.

"I am very depressed. Everyday, I try hard to encourage myself
and to maintain my resolve. I have not lost hope but it has been
very difficult and very depressing," he added.

Estrada is being held at the suburban Veterans Memorial
Medical Center in Manila while being prosecuted for plunder, a
term for large-scale corruption, which is punishable by death.
His pleas for house arrest have been rejected.

A special court is to begin hearing evidence in the plunder
case on October 1. He is accused of amassing at least US$80
million through illegal means including taking bribes and
kickbacks from a nationwide gambling syndicate.

Politicians say Estrada is unlikely to be put to death. His
successor Gloria Arroyo has stopped carrying out criminal
executions, which Estrada resumed while in power.

The Straits Times said the heavy curtains are always drawn
shut in the spacious but spartan hospital suite where Estrada is
being held. But while he found his current conditions depressing,
he was defiant about the charge.

"I am not one bit worried (about the trial) because I'm not
guilty. I may have made a lot of mistakes but graft and
corruption is not one of them. In the end, I know I will be
vindicated," he said.

"I just want to clear my name and lead a quiet life. I'm
through with politics," Estrada said.