KARUNA SHINSHO, CNN ANCHOR: Thousands of troops guarded a Manila courtroom today as ousted Philippine President Joseph Estrada heard charges against him. Estrada faces a possible death sentence if he's convicted of a highly controversial charge of economic plunder during his time in office. Maria Ressa has the details.</s>MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPNODENT (voice-over): Outside the courthouse, heavy security facing hundreds of protesters. Some are members of the urban poor, supporters of the former President Joseph Estrada. Hundreds more helped bring down the former leader last January. They say they want him convicted on the same charges which got him impeached last year: large- scale corruption.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We would like the trial to proceed fairly swiftly, without any special treatment.</s>RESSA: Inside Mr. Estrada's lawyers didn't seem to have the interest in speed. Just hours before Mr. Estrada was scheduled to appear, his lawyers tried to get a last-minute delay. They filed a petition with the Supreme Court, questioning the law of economic plunder, which carries the maximum penalty of death.</s>AMANDO DORONILA, POLITICAL ANALYST: The plunder is a new legislation. It's a crime. So it's open to interpretation of the test.</s>RESSA: That caused confusion, with both sides presenting their arguments in court. Two hours later, the charge of plunder was read to the accused. Consistent with his legal stand, Mr. Estrada refused to enter a plea, a way to show he does not recognize the court's jurisdiction. The court automatically entered not guilty. Plunder is a non-bailable offense. Mr. Estrada was arrested more than two months ago, and will be detained while hearings continue. (on camera): This opened a landmark case for the Philippines, a country which hasn't had a good track record of holding its leaders accountable. Ferdinand Marcos, accused of stealing billions of dollars, was never formally charged in court. Filipinos point to Mr. Estrada's detention, and say they hope this time will be different. Maria Ressa, CNN, Manila.
Ousted Philippine President Joseph Estrada Hears Charges Against Him