The Sandiganbayan has now released their decision and Joseph "Erap" Estrada the former Philippine President has been found guilty of Plunder beyond reasonable doubt and has been acquitted of Perjury. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
At the same time, the anti-graft court ordered the freezing of Estrada’s accounts estimated at $87 million. The funds, including protection money from illegal gambling operators, embezzled tobacco taxes, and commissions from insider trading, will be "forfeited," the anti-graft court ruled.
But Estrada son, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and lawyer Eduardo Serapio, were acquitted by the anti-graft court in its ruling issued Wednesday that capped a six-year trial for the former leader who was ousted in a popular revolt in 2001.
The court said it would allow Estrada to stay at his resthouse in Tanay, Rizal “until further orders.”
