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Security high for Estrada verdict Estrada gets life for corruption
(about 8 hours later)
There is tight security in the Philippine capital, Manila, ahead of the verdict in the corruption trial of former President Joseph Estrada. Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada has been found guilty of corruption and jailed for life.
Mr Estrada is accused of embezzling about $80m (£42m) before he was forced from office by street protests in 2001. Mr Estrada was accused of embezzling about $80m (£42m) before he was forced from office by street protests in 2001. He was found not guilty of perjury.
He will serve out the sentence under house arrest on his country estate.
There was tight security in the Philippine capital, Manila, ahead of the verdict, as Mr Estrada's supporters were kept away from the courthouse.
He denies the allegations, accusing his successor Gloria Arroyo and Church leaders of conspiring against him.He denies the allegations, accusing his successor Gloria Arroyo and Church leaders of conspiring against him.
Analysts say that whatever the verdict, his supporters are likely to use the occasion to hold a protest rally. The 70-year-old former film star has said previously that he will appeal if found guilty.
Analysts say that the fact that Mr Estrada will be spending more time behind bars is likely to anger the urban poor who make up the bulk of his support.
Divisive figureDivisive figure
The trial began soon after Mr Estrada was ousted from power in 2001, amid violent street protests.The trial began soon after Mr Estrada was ousted from power in 2001, amid violent street protests.
The former movie star still has mass popular appeal, and over the years the court proceedings have attracted plenty of media attention.The former movie star still has mass popular appeal, and over the years the court proceedings have attracted plenty of media attention.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1063976.stm">Profile: Joseph Estrada "I have been imprisoned for six years, four months and 17 days but because of your prayers, help and love, I have endured all these," Mr Estrada said on Tuesday, in a taped message smuggled out of his home, where he is under house arrest. "I have been imprisoned for six years, four months and 17 days but because of your prayers, help and love, I have endured all these," Mr Estrada said on Tuesday, in a taped message smuggled out of his home, where he is under house arrest.
He said he believed the public was already convinced of his innocence, adding: "Whatever the Sandiganbayan (corruption court) will decide, I am ready because I know my countrymen have acquitted me."He said he believed the public was already convinced of his innocence, adding: "Whatever the Sandiganbayan (corruption court) will decide, I am ready because I know my countrymen have acquitted me."
Analysts say that whatever the result, the end of the trial could present problems for the current administration.
A guilty verdict is likely to result in Mr Estrada spending more time behind bars, which will anger the urban poor who make up the bulk of his support.
But if he is cleared, detractors of President Gloria Arroyo are unlikely to miss the opportunity to accuse her of ruling without a mandate.
And if Mr Estrada becomes a free man, he will almost certainly emerge as a rallying point for the opposition, which is currently lacking an obvious leader.
Ahead of the verdict, the authorities are taking no chances.
Troops have been placed on roads blocking the home and office of President Arroyo, and Manila's police chief Reynaldo Varilla said half of the capital's 15,000 police force would be deployed in areas where pro-Estrada supporters were likely to hold rallies.
"We're trying to cover all the bases and prevent terrorists from hitting these targets," he told Reuters news agency.