Prosecutors on Monday launched an investigation of former President Joseph Estrada for allegedly plundering millions of dollars in office. Estrada, who left the presidential palace under the pressure of mass demonstrations Saturday, has 10 days to file an affidavit in response. While the top charge technically carries the possible death penalty, it was considered extremely unlikely that the former action film actor could face execution by lethal injection.
Economic plunder is defined as stealing from the state.
There are different categories, with different sets of penalties, depending on the amounts of money involved. Mr Desierto said. At the time of his departure, Estrada was facing an impeachment trial on corruption charges. It had been suspended last Tuesday when the entire prosecution team walked out after the senators acting as judges decided to bar access to bank documents contained in a sealed envelope. The prosecutors claimed the documents would have proved Estrada enriched himself by millions of dollars during his term that began in 1998 and that the tribunal's decision proved they would not be able to get a fair verdict.