Estrada says he is still president

Estrada says he is still president

PHILIPPINES: Detained former Philippine president Joseph Estrada reappeared in a special anti-graft court on Friday, insisting he could not face corruption charges because he was still president.

Estrada and his son and co-accused, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, appeared relaxed in their first appearance at the antigraft Sandiganbayan court in almost a year for a hearing on a motion to dismiss the charges against them.

Estrada was toppled in a popular uprising in 2001 over a massive corruption scandal. He was later arrested and theoretically faces the death penalty if convicted on charges of plundering US$80 million during his 30-month rule.

Estrada's new lawyer, Alan Paguia, said the Sandiganbayan did not have jurisdiction over Estrada on the grounds that he was illegally forced from office and was legally still president.

The constitution says a sitting president cannot be put on trial until after he finishes his six-year term. --AFP