By Xinhua
Manila : Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada was Wednesday found guilty of plunder by the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan he set up himself during his short-lived presidency.
He was sentenced to life in prison or perpetual house arrest as the court said he was guilty beyond reasonable doubt of plunder of some four billion pesos ($86 million). The perjury case against him was dismissed.
The court would allow Estrada to continue staying at his rest house in Tanay, Rizal province, east of Manila “until further orders”.
Estrada was ousted from power in early 2001 after about three years in power. He has been in detention since then.
The authorities deployed thousands of police around the Sandiganbayan court in Quezon City, as thousands of supporters of the former president had gathered there to protest.
The guilty verdict was widely anticipated by the local media. The local daily Philippine Star said Wednesday the government must exercise tolerance to avoid violence if the supporters of Estrada stage protests.