A God Damn Slap in the Face
If ever President Macapagal-Arroyo decides to grant a pardon to ex-President Joseph Estrada, that would be a bloody slap in the face of all Filipino’s. Not to mention to all those who have been languishing in prison convicted of the same crime.
Recently, the ex-President and his lawyers withdrew his motion for reconsideration which was contesting his conviction for Plunder and instead asked for pardon from his former Vice-President.
According to his Lawyers the logic behind the granting of this pardon was that:
Estrada’s ouster from the presidency and the “humiliation” that came with it was enough punishment already.[source]
It’s giving the “Go” signal for all top officials to steal from the country’s coffers since their is already a precedent of a “get-out-of-jail-card” being issued via a presidential pardon.
Once again the Country’s “Backbone” is being tested.
Just adding my sentiments on this issue to the Philippine Blogosphere…
Update: Looks like Executive Clemancy was granted yesterday. Some sectors are saying that that was to put to a halt the opposition grilling into the National Broadband conspiracy that the President’s husband was said to be part of.
If that is the case, then this makes for a tricky alliance with the opposition. Considering that the Speakers son was part of the accusers in the National Broadband conspiracy, was there was a need to drop old alliances as they have become too fragile already?
The benefit of having control of the House was that no impeachment complaint would ever get through to the Senate where the opposition has the administration outnumbered. But now? who knows? To paraphrase a line in Noble House, “These are the times when Old Friends need Old Friends.”
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Gloria will pardon Estrada for reconcialiation - reconciliation among thieves. She expects a similar treatment (luxurious jail of her choice and pardon) if ever she will be in a similar predicament in the future. We flips have short memories - from Marcoses to Estrada to Arroyo. If we flips hanged the marcoses like what the Italians did to Mussolini there never would be leaders who will make a mockery of their offices. Flips will always be the sickman or if not the dying man of Asia. We will never take off like Japan and Korea ’cause we condone corruption and plunder. Estrada should have been sentenced to die by lethal injection or if not be jailed - not pardoned. Will it not be shameful to live in a generation of corruption, jinggoy and the likes as senators, actors and actresses in politics, or maybe a Richard Gomez as President. God forbid and help us all if its Jinggoy as president!
Ackkk… perish the thought of that ever happening