Both were appointed to the helm of the two state pension funds by Estrada during his 22-month presidency from June 1998 to January 2001. The amount of the commission, just the commission, was 189,700,000 pesos. These are different transactions. Ombudsman Aniano Desierto is already considering eight cases of corruption and economic plunder against Estrada. None have yet been filed in court because of a restraint order by the Supreme Court.
Plunder is an offence punishable by death.
The Supreme Court issued the restraining order while deciding on a petition by Estrada arguing he was still the president and therefore immune from lawsuits. But the court dismissed the petition 13-0 on Friday although it has given the former movie actor 15 days to appeal. On Monday, Estrada's lawyer Rene Saguisag said the ousted leader would most probably ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its unanimous decision affirming the legitimacy of the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The odds are more daunting than ever but we hope the Supreme Court will keep an open mind. Newspapers have said Estrada might be planning to flee the country as events turned against him but he has said he will not.