Philippine President Joseph Estrada, threatened with...

Philippine President Joseph Estrada, threatened with removal from office for alleged corruption, ordered all death sentences affirmed by the Supreme Court to be commuted to life imprisonment. Estrada's order covered more than 100 condemned criminals. He also announced he would commute to life terms all death sentences that have been imposed by local courts. The presidential directive would affect more than 1,200 prisoners who have been sentenced to die by lethal injection since the country restored capital punishment in 1994. He made the remarks on International Human Rights Day. However the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) said that when it tried to secure a copy of the President's order, it was informed by officials at the Presidential Palace that such an order was "not available" and even if it were FLAG would not be given a copy.