Estrada's impeachment trial resumes under tight security

From staff and wire reports

MANILA, Philippines -- Security was tight Tuesday as the impeachment trial of President Joseph Estrada resumed after recessing for the holidays.

At the same time, police were investigating five explosions that ripped through crowded areas of the capital Saturday, killing 14 people and wounding more than 100 others.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombings, and police reported few new clues Monday in their investigation. Police said a witness helped draft a composite sketch of a man he said he saw hiding one of the bombs.

VIDEO CNN's Maria Ressa reports on the division of economic classes over Estrada Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     PROFILES Key players in the Estrada impeachment case     RESOURCES Follow a timeline showing President Estrada's recent political crisis     MESSAGE BOARD Estrada trial

The explosions came at a time of instability for the government.

A lack of clear suspects and government warnings of more attacks have unleashed a cross fire of accusations blaming the government, political opposition, the army, right-wing factions and Muslim and communist guerrillas, among others, for the bombs.

Police initially hinted that Muslim rebels could be involved. Government officials alternately blamed communist guerrillas or unidentified "right wing groups."

Estrada's opponents said they suspect the army could have engineered the bombings in an attempt to give Estrada an excuse to declare martial law, and thereby stop the impeachment trial. The president has denied opposition claims that he would use the bombings as an excuse to declare martial law.

Authorities described the bombs as improvised devices made from ammonium nitrate and containing no metal fragments.

Prosecution makes case against Estrada

Amid the chaos, prosecutors have promised to come up with a powerful blow to Estrada. The Senate impeachment trial had been in recess for the holidays.

On December 22, the last day of the trial before the break, the senior vice president of the Philippines' third-largest bank, Equitable PCI Bank, said she saw Estrada sign a false name to a $10 million loan to the company of a friend.

Prosecution says Clarissa Ocampo's testimony shows Estrada accumulated an undeclared personal fortune, in violation of graft law.

They allege upcoming testimony will reveal the president kept a network of secret bank accounts, one containing as much as $24 million.

Graft laws oblige public officials to declare all income and assets. Estrada's declared assets in 1999 were $700,000 and he has an official monthly income of $1,000.

Estrada denies all wrongdoing.

The corruption scandal rocking Estrada began in early October when a former drinking buddy claimed the president pocketed more than $8 million in bribes from illegal gambling lords and $2.6 million in tobacco tax kickbacks.

Estrada, a former action-film star, faces several counts each of bribery, graft, betrayal of public trust and violating the constitution.

A conviction on any charge would force Estrada from office and replace him with Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, an opposition leader. The president and vice president are elected separately.

CNN Manila Bureau Chief Maria Ressa and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

President Estrada shrugs off senior Philippine minister's concerns
December 29, 2000
Estrada may be losing ability to govern Philippines, minister says
December 28, 2000
Bank executive testifies Philippine president used false name
December 22, 2000

Equitable PCI Bank
President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada
BAYAN Movement
Philippine House of Representatives

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