THE INDEPENDENT watchdog group Plunder Watch promised to "closely monitor each development" as the Sandiganbayan starts the trial of ousted President Estrada and his co-accused in the crime of plunder on October 1.

"We will be there to witness this historic moment and whatever histrionics may be done unleashed by the defense," said Plunder Watch convenor Dr. Carolina Pagaduan-Araullo as she bared that the group's convenors would be on hand as the anti-graft court hears the charges filed against Estrada, a first in the country's history.

"Tomorrow will mark the much-delayed key step towards the achievment of justice after People Power 2," Araullo said.

Araullo expressed confidence that "there is a body of evidence strong enough to pin down Estrada. We just have to ensure the prosecution does its job and thwarts all possible underhanded tactics by the defense such as what we have been witness to from the likes of Saguisag, Flaminiano, Cuevas, Fortun and company."

Citing the Supreme Court's ban on the trial's live media broadcast, Araullo said that Plunder Watch would take advantage of all available for common people and urged the public to join them in attending the Sandiganbayan' hearings on the Estrada case.

However, Araullo maintained that Plunder Watch has not given up on the issue of live media coverage, adding that the group will endorse a second motion for consideration that may be filed by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman.

As the trial starts on Monday, Araullo chided the defense panel for "using all sorts of tricks in a vain attempt to hatch an escape for Estrada."

"It seems that Estrada's promise to face his accusers and answer all accusations in a trial was all hogwash. The patience of the Sandiganbayan and the public has limits with regards to all their dilatory tactics and over 45 motions," said Araullo.

She added that Plunder Watch will likewise launch a separate monitor at the Supreme Court where Estrada's defense lawyers filed a motion questioning the consitutionality of the Plunder Law, the same law Estrada signed and accused of violating.