MANILA, Philippines -- Businessman Jaime Dichaves, one of the accused in the plunder case against deposed President Joseph Estrada, wants to come home to face the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court but will seek the downgrading of the charge against him to a lesser, bailable offense.

During a recent visit to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Estrada disclosed that he had spoken with Dichaves on the phone after he was pardoned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the businessman had strongly indicated his desire to return to the Philippines.

Dichaves is the real owner of the controversial “Jose Velarde” bank account -- in which over P1 billion was recently found by the Sandiganbayan sheriff -- Estrada insisted.

Estrada said Dichaves told him that he was working with his lawyers to downgrade the plunder charge to a lesser one that would allow him to post bail, instead of having to remain in jail.

“He talked to his lawyer about the possibility of downgrading his case so he can post bail once he comes home,” Estrada said.

“After I was granted a pardon, he called me up to ask if it was already okay for him to come home. I told him ‘why not?’ I’ve already done my part. I was the main accused,” Estrada said.

In his last conversation with the businessman, Estrada learned that he was in China.

After Estrada’s conviction last year, the court sheriff was ordered to seize P189.7 million deposited in the Jose Velarde account and P545.291 million in the Erap Muslim Youth Foundation.

Early this month, Sandigan Sheriff Ed Urieta reported finding P1.1 billion worth of assets in the Velarde account.

Estrada reiterated that he had nothing to do with the account and that Dichaves was its owner.

Asked if the businessman didn’t mind his declaration, Estrada said: “He can’t take it against me. That is the truth. He wrote a letter to the Senate admitting that he owned the account and it was proven in the second envelope.”