Saturday, September 15, 2007 Libre: Estrada failed his people By Mel Libre Seriously Now
THE nation can breathe a sigh of relief now that the verdict in the cases filed against deposed president Joseph Estrada has been released and the disorder it was expected to generate ended in a whimper.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did not lower her guard, though. Mobilizing the police and the military in strategic areas, the commander-in-chief was ready to go to battle had it been needed to prevent any attempt by her opponents to destabilize the government and threaten her presidency.
Government’s soft-glove treatment of Estrada paid off. Unlike the dictator Ferdinand Marcos who bullied and relentlessly pursued his enemies and incarcerated even former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. like some common criminal, the Arroyo government gave Estrada special treatment and perks thereby denying the latter of the “underdog hero” tag.
Estrada, though he is generally denied freedom of movement, is staying in his rest house in Tanay, Rizal. Also, he was able to visit his sickly mother from time to time, was allowed visitors, was not denied his right to support his candidates during elections and had his wife and sons elected to public office.
Upon knowing of his conviction of the crime of plunder, Estrada declared: “I thought the rule of law will prevail over here. This is really a kangaroo court.
This is a political decision.”
With the Sandiganbayan, whom he referred to as a “kangaroo court,” observing due process of law and with some of the best legal eagles defending him, Estrada’s accusation just could not convince the Filipino people to come to his rescue.
By illegally amassing about P4 billion in bribes and proceeds from illegal gambling, Estrada cannot be easily forgiven, more so because he squandered the opportunity for the Philippines to move forward economically after his predecessor Fidel V. Ramos laid down the groundwork for the take-off.
Estrada has written himself off from politics. Opposition politicians may no longer want to be associated with him considering his conviction for corruption and his declining popularity. Many of our politicians are known to abandon their leaders once they can no longer advance their political future.
Joseph Ejercito Estrada has learned too late in his life that the presidency of the Philippine Republic is a minefield. Popularity may get you there, but it takes a lot of courage, tenacity, industry and most importantly intelligence just to survive.
Estrada did not survive. He failed himself; he failed his people.
