Philippine ex-president gets life sentence

MANILA, Philippines -- Deposed Philippine President Joseph Estrada, who once pulled off the biggest election victory in Philippine history, has been sentenced to life in prison on charges he took bribes and kickbacks in office.

Estrada was convicted of plunder -- a capital offence -- though the death penalty was recently abolished.

He was acquitted of perjury for allegedly falsely declaring his assets.

It was unclear when he might be eligible for parole.

He was given credit for the time he has spent in detention.

Riot police and troops kept hundreds of flag-waving Estrada backers several blocks from the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court in Manila that the former action film star inaugurated before he was ousted in January 2001 by the country's second people power revolt.

Security also was very tight around the presidential palace as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo worried about a repeat of violent protests that followed Estrada's arrest in April 2001.

Estrada's son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and lawyer Eduardo Serapio were acquitted of all charges.

Estrada said before the verdict he would appeal a conviction but did not immediately tell the court he would do so.