Prosecutors in Manila said yesterday they would call Philippines President Joseph Estrada's wife and five mistresses in his Senate corruption trial.
As Mr Estrada made a wish for redemption by Christmas, Prosecutor Oscar Moreno said he had no choice but to call First Lady Luisa Ejercito and "up to five" of the President's mistresses to the stand. Mr Moreno said the first lady would answer allegations that the couple failed to declare assets in tax returns.
The prosecution has said the mistresses are to be asked to corroborate allegations that Mr Estrada received millions of dollars in bribes from bosses of illegal gambling rackets at homes which he gave to them.
Mr Moreno said Mr Estrada must guarantee that these women "do not leave the country and will be available as they are called upon".
Prosecutors sought a Senate order to search Mr Estrada's private home, the alleged houses of three mistresses and a mountain-top villa south of Manila. But Mr Estrada's lawyers opposed the search, branding it a publicity stunt.
Mr Estrada (63), a former action movie star who acknowledges children by at least three ex-actresses, has pleaded to leave his families out of politics.
Mr Moreno said: "We would have preferred the taking of depositions on these ladies instead of asking them to testify in open court." But "the President clearly showed he has many things to hide and he would suppress the evidence even at the expense of exposing his mistresses to scrutiny and ignominy".