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Deposed Philippine president Joseph Estrada struck a defiant note in opening testimony at his plunder trial on Wednesday, dismissing accusations he amassed US$80 million from state coffers and bribes while in power.

The film star turned politician took the stand for the first time in his five-year-old trial, which is highly politicised as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo tries to heal divisions from the popular revolt that ousted him and propelled her to power.

"I was not able to defend myself and was convicted in the street," Estrada, known popularly by his nickname "Erap", told the packed courtroom in the Tagalog language.

If convicted, Estrada could be sentenced to death. But most analysts expect he would be sent to prison or given a pardon by Arroyo to cool the political temperature.

About 200 Estrada supporters, waving banners that read "Erap not guilty", were kept about 500 meters (yards) away from the court building by 1,000 police officers.

The supporters, wearing Estrada's trademark orange, had held an overnight vigil and attended morning Mass at a nearby church.

Estrada, 68, who is kept under house arrest at his country villa, said in a brief television interview during a recess for lunch that he was optimistic about winning his freedom.

"So far, so good," said Estrada, whose wife, Senator Luisa Ejercito, and three of his children accompanied him to court. "I have been waiting for this chance to air my side."

Estrada, well known for sessions of his "midnight cabinet" of drinking and gambling buddies as president and for fathering children with several women, is one of the most colorful figures in the already rambunctious world of Philippine politics.

He remains hugely popular among poor voters who swept him to power in 1998 and says his overthrow and trial were engineered by the country's elite.

"His only crime is philandering not plundering," Estrada's lawyer, Rene Saguisag, told Reuters.

Weeks of testimony

The uprising that ousted Estrada in 2001 after 31 months in office was backed by generals, Catholic bishops and powerful families, paving the way for Arroyo to rise from vice-president.

Many of Estrada's supporters see Arroyo, who survived an impeachment attempt last year over allegations of graft and vote-rigging in the 2004 election, as an illegitimate leader.

State prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio said Estrada had not convinced anyone with his testimony.

"It's a general denial," he said. "We expected that line of defence."

Luis "Chavit" Singson, a provincial governor who was the government's key witness, was also in court to hear his former friend and gambling buddy testify.

"We are 100 percent sure he will lie," Singson told reporters. "He is an actor, he can very well fake it."

Singson has claimed he delivered 130 million pesos (US$2.5 million) in tobacco taxes to Estrada's house and has accused him of links to illegal lottery syndicates.

Estrada is expected to take six to eight weeks to complete his testimony as the court meets only once a week. It could take another three months for the two sides to wrap up arguments.

State prosecutors opened the case in October 2001.

"Estrada's trial is a showcase of how slowly the wheels of Philippine justice turn," the Philippine Star said in an editorial on Wednesday. "His case, which has turned into a national embarrassment, must be resolved soon."

(Chinadaily.com via agencies March 23, 2006)