Philippines

Former Philippine president Joseph Estrada was sentenced to life in prison on Sept. 12 after an anti-graft court found him guilty of plunder. Fears that a guilty verdict could trigger widespread street protests and possible riots in Manila seemed misplaced. Pro-Estrada activists staged scattered low-key demonstrations in the city of 12 million people but all were peaceful. The 70-year-old movie star, ousted from power in an army-backed revolt in 2001, was also barred from ever holding public office again. (Reuters)