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Friday, August 26, 2005
Cardinal Vidal offers ‘my person, my office’ to be Erap’s guardian
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will be “happy” to open his doors to former president Joseph Estrada if he will be released and asks for the prelate’s assistance or guardianship.
The cardinal said he is happy that President Arroyo is open to reconciliation with the deposed president. If he will be asked to be Estrada’s guardian, Vidal said he would “happily offer my person and my office.”
However, the cardinal pointed out that it might be hard for Estrada to come to Cebu and stay here if ever he is released from house arrest.
Estrada has asked the Sandiganbayan to post bail for his plunder and perjury cases or be released on recognizance.
Recognizance is the release of an accused without bail to someone of high moral standing in the community.
Vidal yesterday said he has not yet spoken with any of the parties involved in the reconciliation talks.
“I even thought it would not push through since some quarters are not in favor of the reconciliation,” the cardinal said. “I do not know if their plans for reconciliation will be feasible. I will just pray for it.”
Merits
Environment Secretary Michael Defensor recently disclosed that reconciliation talks between the camps of Arroyo and Estrada have begun with the latter seeking release from house arrest on recognizance.
Estrada confirmed talking to Defensor about his possible release, but said this was based on the merits of his plunder case, not reconciliation.
Estrada, who has been in detention since 2001, has consistently maintained that the charges against him were politically motivated.
The cardinal, whom the former president considers his spiritual adviser, said he was even the one who had convinced President Arroyo to visit Estrada in prison in Sta. Rosa, Manila.
During that meeting, the President promised that she will continue to work on the reconciliation but since then, Vidal has not heard from her regarding the matter.
“I cannot say if now is the time to remind her of her promise. But let us just pray for her,” the cardinal said. (LLV)
(August 26, 2005 issue)
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