Hold-up in Estrada prosecution decision

The authorities in the Philippines have postponed the prosecution of the former president, Joseph Estrada, on charges of bribery and corruption.

He's been accused of illegally enriching himself by up to three-hundred-million dollars during his two-and-a-half years in office, which he strongly denies.

On Friday, the Supreme Court stripped Mr Estrada of his immunity from prosecution.

However, the state ombudsman who is acting as prosecutor said he was still bound by earlier instructions from the court to wait, despite the fact that it had subsequently reached its decision.

Mr Estrada's lawyers are expected to appeal against the lifting of his immunity.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service