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.