2006年VOA标准英语-Former Philippine President Resumes Testim

By Douglas Bakshian
Manila
29 March 2006

 
Ousted¹ Philippine President Joseph Estrada gestures during his trial on Wednesday March 29, 2006
  
It was another day of denials and demonstrations² at the long-running economic plunder³ trial of former Philippine President Joseph Estrada. The defense⁴ tried to refute prosecution⁵ evidence that the former leader amassed⁶ $80 million in bribes⁷, tax kickbacks⁸ and other illegal payoffs while in power.

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In his second day of testimony⁹, Mr. Estrada denied any knowledge of documents submitted by the prosecution showing he had received kickbacks from excise¹⁰ taxes. He repeatedly told the court he did not recognize the documents and had nothing to do with them.

One of his attorneys, Rene Saguisag, disputed prosecution claims that 130 million pesos, or $2.5 million, in tobacco taxes were delivered to Mr. Estrada's house.

But special prosecutor¹¹ Dennis Villa¹² Ignacio told reporters during a break that he expected such denials. He said the prosecution is confident that Estrada will not be able to overcome the documentary evidence against him.

Mr. Estrada's trial has dragged on for five years, but his own testimony began only last week. Critics accuse the defense of prolonging the legal battle in hopes of gaining public support, but defense attorney Saguisag denies this.

He says other cases against major political figures, such as the family of former President Ferdinand Marcos, moved even slower.

"Why don't you ask why the cases of the Marcoses are tried once every decade? So this is the fastest moving case in its category. Because in this country, that's just how it is," said Saguisag.

It could be mid¹³ May before Mr. Estrada finishes his testimony at the Sandinganbayan, or anti-corruption court, because the case is only being heard one day per week.

While the exchanges took place inside the courtroom, about 200 supporters of Mr. Estrada gathered peacefully outside a nearby church. They carried banners proclaiming his innocence¹⁴ and calling for his freedom.

Mr. Estrada was driven from office in 2001 by a popular revolt backed by the military. He is a former movie star, and still has a strong following among poor voters who originally swept him into power.

Plunder, the crime with which Mr. Estrada is charged, carries a maximum penalty of death.

1 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

2 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

3 plunder   

vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠

参考例句：

• The thieves hid their plunder in the cave.贼把赃物藏在山洞里。
• Trade should not serve as a means of economic plunder.贸易不应当成为经济掠夺的手段。

4 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

5 prosecution   

n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营

参考例句：

• The Smiths brought a prosecution against the organizers.史密斯家对组织者们提出起诉。
• He attempts to rebut the assertion made by the prosecution witness.他试图反驳原告方证人所作的断言。

6 amassed   

v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He amassed a fortune from silver mining. 他靠开采银矿积累了一笔财富。
• They have amassed a fortune in just a few years. 他们在几年的时间里就聚集了一笔财富。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 bribes   

n.贿赂( bribe的名词复数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂v.贿赂( bribe的第三人称单数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• corrupt officials accepting bribes 接受贿赂的贪官污吏

8 kickbacks   

n.激烈反应( kickback的名词复数 )；佣金，回扣

参考例句：

• Everyone at City Hall is receiving kickbacks. It's the only way to get anything done there. 市政府里的每个人都收回扣，在那里只有送红包，事情才办得成。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• G raft or kickbacks paid to officials or law enforcem ent authorities. 暗中付给官员或执法人员的回扣。 来自互联网

9 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

10 excise   

n.(国产)货物税；vt.切除，删去

参考例句：

• I'll excise the patient's burnt areas.我去切除病人烧坏的部分。
• Jordan's free trade zone free of import duty,excise tax and all other taxes.约旦的自由贸易区免收进口税、国内货物税及其它一切税收。

11 prosecutor   

n.起诉人；检察官，公诉人

参考例句：

• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。
• The prosecutor would tear your testimony to pieces.检查官会把你的证言驳得体无完肤。

12 villa   

n.别墅，城郊小屋

参考例句：

• We rented a villa in France for the summer holidays.我们在法国租了一幢别墅消夏。
• We are quartered in a beautiful villa.我们住在一栋漂亮的别墅里。

13 mid   

adj.中央的，中间的

参考例句：

• Our mid-term exam is pending.我们就要期中考试了。
• He switched over to teaching in mid-career.他在而立之年转入教学工作。

14 innocence   

n.无罪；天真；无害

参考例句：

• There was a touching air of innocence about the boy.这个男孩有一种令人感动的天真神情。
• The accused man proved his innocence of the crime.被告人经证实无罪。