Manila - Ousted Philippine president Joseph Estrada was convicted on Wednesday of corruption on a massive scale and sentenced to life in prison. But the 70-year-old Estrada will be allowed to spend his jail time under house arrest until further notice.
The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in Manila also ordered Estrada to forfeit more than 930 million pesos (20 million dollars) it considered part of his ill-gotten wealth. Estrada was acquitted of a lesser charge of perjury.
Estrada is also disqualified from holding any public office.
Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro said Estrada would be detained at his 15-hectare villa in Tanay town in Rizal province, just east of Manila, until further orders.
"The court allows the continued stay of the former president at his present place of detention in Tanay, Rizal until further orders of this court," she said.
