ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Catholic Bishops say : “the conviction of former president is a warning for all corrupt officials”.

Manila (Agenzia Fides) - The fight against corruption in the Philippines has acquired a symbol event: former President Joseph Estrada, convicted of corruption, false witness and detraction of public funds - over 4 billion pesos (87 million dollars) - during his time in office, has been given a life sentence.
The Catholic Bishops of the Philippines say the case of Estrada is a warning for all corrupt politicians and should hopefully lead to more transparency in politics and bureaucracy. “We are aware of the decision taken by the Anti-Corruption Court in Manila and we see it as an opportunity for repentance and conversion which should concern not only former president said Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Bishops' Conference
The court sentenced Estrada to life imprisonment and ordered him to return all the illegally accumulated money. Estrada's lawyers have said they will appeal against the sentence, and for his part the former president described the sentence as “political” a “conspiracy” to eliminate him altogether from the scene. He also launched accusations against the local Church. For their part the Bishops urged Estrada to accept the Court's sentence and they asked the people to refrain from violent demonstrations following the sentence.
In 2001 Catholics, the majority of the population, were part of a peaceful movement to overthrow Estrada known as the 'People Power 2' revolution which brought to power president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/9/2007 righe 27 parole 279)