Manila - The deposed leader, Mr Joseph Estrada (63), was barred from leaving the Philippines yesterday as the authorities prepared to freeze his assets, officials said in Manila.
The Justice Secretary, Mr Hernando Perez, imposed the travel ban to ensure the former president, his wife and a son, a brother-in-law, three members of his cabinet, and 16 others would be available to answer questions in a criminal investigation for alleged plunder, a crime punishable by death.