U.S. extradition request watched

U.S. extradition request watched

MANILA (AFP): Washington's request for the extradition of a fugitive friend of President Joseph Estrada is being closely watched by other governments as a test of the countries' bilateral relations, a foreign department spokesman said on Thursday.

The case of fugitive Mark Jimenez was "of vital importance since many countries are monitoring the case closely to see if the Philippines will honor its obligations under the (Philippine)-U.S. extradition treaty," department spokesman George Reyes said in a statement.

Jimenez, a businessman friend of Estrada, was last year indicted on charges of conspiracy, tax evasion, mail fraud and illegal campaign contributions to the Democratic Party in the United States.

Although extradition proceedings have begun against him, the Filipino Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Jimenez be allowed to obtain copies of confidential extradition documents, effectively delaying his extradition.