Saturday, August 18, 2007 Roperos: Erap’s PR gambit By Godofredo M. Roperos Politics Also
RECENT interviews of former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada by media personalities in Cebu have stirred keen observers here.
What is Erap up to that should impel him to spend time answering questions from media people outside of Metro Manila? It does seem surprising, considering that it happened just after an election.
Most observers, however, noted that the interviews coincided with talks that the Sandiganbayan will soon be rendering judgment on the plunder case the former president is facing. The interviews then were designed to whip up public support in case the decision would turn out negative against him.
Meaning, his PR advisers have arrived at a strategy of arousing public opinion on the decision in favor of Estrada.
If this speculated reason is true, President Arroyo could expect trouble from a front other than the Abu Sayyaf. And this would be from the civil groups that will refuse to accept the verdict of the Sandiganbayan.
It would be a pity since what will come out would be Erap obstructing the natural course of justice in a democratic nation he once ruled.
The possibility, though, that the former president will be found guilty of the crime he has been charged with actually enjoys the same 50-50 chance that he would be acquitted. At this stage, the judgment could go either way, and that is probably what Erap’s spin doctors are trying to anticipate.
I am not sure what the former president would like to happen in case the decision would go against him. There has been a move in the House for the President to grant amnesty to political detainees.
But whether the former president would qualify or not is another issue entirely.
I was made to understand that amnesty could only be extended to someone who has been charged with a political infraction. Plunder, it is said, is a criminal liability that is beyond the pale of amnesty.
The most Erap could expect, if convicted, is executive clemency or pardon. But I heard that his kin is searching for a way wherein Erap would emerge from this ordeal with the mark of being guilty for the crime he is charged.
I am not sure if there is such way out, short of being “amnestied” because such would wipe out all his “sins.” Otherwise, he would have to settle for executive clemency or pardon. This would imply he is guilty.
