Philippines' Estrada gets life

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Philippines' Estrada gets life
Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:20PM EDT

By Manny Mogato

MANILA (Reuters) - Former Philippine President Joseph
Estrada was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday
after an anti-graft court found him guilty of plunder
and barred him from holding public office again.

The courthouse was hushed as the 70-year-old movie
star, who was ousted from office in an army-backed
revolt in 2001, was sentenced. His son Jinggoy, a
senator, was found not guilty of plunder.

"I thought the role of justice would prevail here but
really it's a kangaroo court," Estrada, wearing a
traditional Filipino dress shirt and his trademark
wristband, told reporters.

Outside, around 300 supporters shook their heads in
disbelief but remained peaceful. Their numbers were
far below the thousands predicted.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSMNT00044820070912

[valerief]

1. Oh, boy, can we do that?! nt

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

2. he could have been sentanced to death on the plunder charge,

ironically he himself re-introduced the death penalty (by lethal injection) to the Philippines.