U.S.-Manila ties face obstacle

U.S.-Manila ties face obstacle

MANILA (AFP): Failure to extradite a fugitive friend of Philippine President Joseph Estrada to the United States could hurt Manila's ties with Washington, the justice secretary said on Monday.

In a comment filed to the Supreme Court, secretary Serafin Cuevas said the Philippines had an obligation to hand over businessman Mark Jimenez to U.S. authorities since both governments were bound by an extradition treaty.

The U.S. case against Jimenez covers alleged fraud and illegal campaign contributions to the Democrat Party, among other charges.

Jimenez, whom Estrada has called a "corporate genius" and was formerly a presidential adviser on Latin American affairs, has been indicted on charges of conspiracy, tax evasion, mail fraud and illegal campaign contributions to the Democratic Party.