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The Estrada Verdict: What Now? Guilty of plunder. It has already been 13 days since the verdict on former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was announced by the Sandiganbayan, but the moment remains fresh for those who stayed tuned and awaited the outcome of the trial. For Susan Pilarca, a laundrywoman, she disagrees with the ruling of the court because she believes that the former president is innocent. “Kasi hindi naman niya talaga ginawa yun eh. Wala naman silang napatunayan lahat-lahat tapos ganoon ang hinatol sa kanya eh talagang hindi ako papayag. Hindi ko gusto yung ginawa ng Sandiganbayan” (He really didn't do it. They weren't able to prove anything as a whole then they come out with that decision. I don't agree with it. I don't like what the Sandiganbayan did.), she said. A taxi operator, Jun Rodillas, also reacted on the issue. He believes that the ruling was a “political verdict, kasi kung hindi magiging guilty, hindi magiging legitimate president si Gloria” (political verdict because if the ruling is not guilty, Gloria will not be a legitimate president). “May nag-utos niyan sa mga mahistrado” (Someone instructed that to the justices), he added. “Ako ay naawa at nagalit” (I felt pity and anger), said Fr. Rene Rodillas, SVD, when asked how he felt when the verdict was announced. “Ako'y hindi sang-ayon sa verdict para kay Estrada kasi sabi nila conspiracy 'di ba? So hindi naman niya kayang gawin ng mag-isa yun, bakit naabswelto yung mga kasama niya samantalang siya ang diniin?” (I don't agree with the verdict because they said it's a conspiracy, right? So he can't manage to do it alone, why were the others acquitted while he was convicted?), he said. Former President Estrada was found guilty of plunder based on two of the four counts filed against him, the Bell Corporation shares and the jueteng payola, which accoording to his lawyers are two of the weakest cases. The other two are the Jose Velarde account and his alleged invlovement in the tobacco excise tax scam. He was sentenced to reclusion perpetua or imprisonment of not more than 40 years. However, co-accused Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Atty. Edward Serapio were acquitted of the said charges. On the other hand, Pres. Estrada was found not guilty for his perjury case. (For full story, check Inquirer website.) Two things are being talked about now. First is the decision of the Sandiganbayan to let Estrada stay in his Tanay resthouse as his place of detention instead of the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City. Another is the reported offer of the Arroyo adminitration to grant pardon for the former president. (Related story here) More related articles: 'Unhappy" senators say Erap has not lost war Puno to visit Estrada to present ‘absolute pardon’ Erap willing to go to Muntinlupa jail | ||
Copyright © 2007 / Patricia Ann C. Roque