Estrada granted house arrest

The Philippine anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has granted detained former Philippine President Joseph Estrada a resthouse arrest transfer from the military camp in the northern Philippine province of Rizal.

In a 19-page decision, the Sandiganbayan Monday approved Estrada's transfer from Camp Capinpin to his 16-hectare villa just across the Army facility, the Philippine Star daily reported Tuesday.

In approving the transfer, the court acknowledged Estrada's status as a former head of state, saying "The case is unique. He is a former president whose continuing political clout this court takes judicial notice of," the court said.

But the resolution, which did not pass unanimously, also imposed seven conditions that Estrada must observe for the transfer not to be revoked.

The conditions include that Estrada should "surrender the control and supervision" of his villa to the Philippine National Police, while Estrada's movements were also restricted to the resthouse itself, the pavilion and chapel.

The court also granted Estrada's request to undergo physical therapy sessions thrice a week.

Estrada was ousted in January 2001 by a military-backed popular revolt over allegations of massive corruption, when the then-vice president Arroyo succeeded Estrada.

Source: Xinhua