Thursday, September 13, 2007 Justice was served, local officials say
FOR local officials, business leaders and police officers in Cebu, the verdict on former president Joseph Estrada closes ‘dark chapter’ in our political history and it is time to move forward. The Sandiganbayan decision finding Estrada guilty of plunder proves that the justice system works, some said.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña
“Wow! Big decision. We are not accustomed to seeing a president sentenced to life…(But) I cannot really say he did it.”
Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem
“This goes to show that Philippine justice is for all. Not just for a 19-year-old cell phone snatcher but even for a multimillionaire ex-president. With the end of this dark chapter, and the six years of political uncertainty that has affected our country, we hope and pray that we can finally move forward.”
Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. president Michael Basubas
“It should bring in more confidence to the economy. The business community should be surer now,” he said, adding that even if Estrada will appeal the decision, “at least, at this level, the issue is put to rest.”
Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Michael Mendoza
Estrada’s conviction shows that “no one is above the law…The nation should celebrate …justice has been rendered. I laud the justice system (for the decision). This is the first time that a president of the country is convicted…the decision puts closure to a long legal process, unlike the issues related to dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the assassination of Ninoy Aquino.” He said, though, that the verdict will not have a long-term effect on the stock market and the foreign exchange. “There is a temporary euphoria (in the market) but it will calm down,” he said.
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Francis Monera
“The wheels of justice have completed their long grind (with the decision). The important next step is that we move toward final closure so that the issue is laid to rest and that we put national energies on more productive endeavors.”
Former mayor Alvin Garcia
He does not see any unrest that local opposition would start, unless, of course, if militant groups take up the cudgel. "I am in the opposition but I am not an Erap guy. As regards our peace and order, it will not affect us. Walay movements sa opposition gi-organize diri." He said, though, that it is a bit unfair for Estrada to be found guilty of plunder because the former president, it seemed, did not take government money.
Cebu Archdiocesan media liaison officer Msgr. Achilles Dakay
“Just because the verdict was already known doesn’t mean we’ll forget about it. How can we remedy the situation and prevent it from happening again?” He added that the case should serve as a wake-up call to all leaders to watch their steps and not abuse the freedom given to them by God. “While there is a certain closeness between the Cardinal and the former president, the Cardinal always observes a sense of detachment by allowing the wheels of justice take their course,” he said.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama
The verdict only shows that justice was served. He warned, though, that government should also run after other officials who may be guilty of the same offense so as to temper whatever hostile reactions there may be after Estrada’s conviction.
Ceap president and University of San Carlos President Fr. Roderick Salazar Jr., SVD
If it is the judgment of the court, then everybody will have to respect that. In the same way, if there are other avenues for appeals, then that should also be respected. I appeal to everyone to consider what this is all about; there is a great temptation to do this and do that without knowing anything.
Ceap Vice-President and Director for Ceap-NCR Msgr. Gerardo Santos
It is important to look at the case and the verdict from the educative point of view. How does this impact on learning, on our students, and in our campuses? Let us look at it from the point of history, reason, religion, and values. We need collective discernment because this has been going on for years and the case cannot be isolated from other issues. What happened to the former president affects us all. In one way or another, we are contributory to what had happened. This is a time to reflect how we elect our officials, and that begins in our schools.
Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Efrain Pelaez Jr.
“We are very happy that finally there is a president being convicted and this shows that our Philippine court has reacted.
Let’s hope we can have a new standard of public service and that the other plunder cases particularly our own lamppost issue in Cebu will move. We are no saying the people who are not guilty should go to jail it should be those that are guilty of stealing people’s money.”
Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna
The judgment on the plunder case is one step closer to the full closure of the Erap era. His conviction is a foregone conclusion. The impeachment trial provided damaging evidence. Had he been acquitted, it would’ve opened a lot of political repercussions.
Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Fortunato de Gracia Jr.
“It’s not so much on the decision, it’s more on the fate of Estrada. Luoy pud,” said de Gracia, whom Estrada appointed to the judiciary in 2000. He, however, believes the decision was fair and square, and hopes that militant groups will not use the conviction as a rallying point as this will definitely affect the country and its economy.
Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu City chapter president Briccio Boholst
The IBP will not issue any stand on the issue, saying they would have done otherwise had Estrada been acquitted.
Former congresswoman Clavel Asas-Martinez
If Estrada is not guilty of perjury, how could he have been found guilty of plunder when his denials were made under oath?
It’s difficult to come up with a comment on the decision because what was read was only the dispositive portion. “It is inconsistent to say that he did not perjure and yet he was found guilty of plunder. It does not make any sense. But we can’t make any correct comment on that, it would be very hard to do so because we have not seen the basis. Let’s see first why was that made.”
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia
“The verdict has been given. Let us give proper respect and trust in our judicial system. Here in Cebu, let us move on and move forward as we always do.”
Bayan Muna secretary-general Arman Perez
“The Sandiganbayan verdict affirms our stand when we supported and endorsed the plunder complaint filed by Plunder Watch.
However, we support Mr. Estrada’s right to a motion for reconsideration. The victory serves as a fair warning to President Arroyo, who, by using the awesome power and influence of the presidency, has succeeded in frustrating two impeachment proceedings against her that entailed numerous complaints of plunder, election fraud, corruption and other high crimes. But she cannot forever escape public accountability for such acts. Her crimes are worse than Estrada’s.”
Sanlakas party-list spokesperson Aaron Pedrosa
“The decision only upheld what happened in People Power 2. The downside is that it upheld the legitimacy of the presidency of PGMA, but that will not be put to rest. There is no closure to the issue even if deposed President Estrada has been convicted. The sitting President has yet to answer allegations of electoral fraud in the 2004 elections. The same thing should happen to her.”
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Cebu chapter
“We wanted justice to be served as a way of making top government officials accountable for their wrongful acts and serve as a strong warning to others.
GMA should not afford Estrada with special treatment. We warn her of serious political repercussions if the ousted president is pardoned as a compromise to the Estrada camp.”
Police Regional Office 7 Director Silverio Alarcio Jr.
“I told them (the police personnel in the region) that whatever your positions let it not hinder ourselves from moving forward, dapat tuloy-tuloy pa rin. Continue doing our job.”
Cebu City Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador Jr.
“If the highest official in the country can be convicted, how much more the others. It will motivate other public officials to perform better and carry out their sworn duties and responsibilities.”
