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(单词翻译)
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 | |
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2 demonstrations | |
证明( demonstration的名词复数 ); 表明; 表达; 游行示威 | |
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3 plunder | |
vt.劫掠财物,掠夺;n.劫掠物,赃物;劫掠 | |
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4 defense | |
n.防御,保卫;[pl.]防务工事;辩护,答辩 | |
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5 prosecution | |
n.起诉,告发,检举,执行,经营 | |
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6 amassed | |
v.积累,积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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 | |
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8 kickbacks | |
n.激烈反应( kickback的名词复数 );佣金,回扣 | |
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9 testimony | |
n.证词;见证,证明 | |
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10 excise | |
n.(国产)货物税;vt.切除,删去 | |
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11 prosecutor | |
n.起诉人;检察官,公诉人 | |
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12 villa | |
n.别墅,城郊小屋 | |
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13 mid | |
adj.中央的,中间的 | |
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14 innocence | |
n.无罪;天真;无害 | |
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