Thursday, September 27, 2007 Seares: Pardon, but Erap says he did no wrong By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
FORMER president Joseph Estrada, convicted of plunder, has started the appeal process, even as Malacañang's offer of a pardon lies on the table.
At least, his choice didn't come close to the insolence of Eugene Victor Debs, a US trade unionist convicted of espionage. When told he was being pardoned by President Harding, Debs said "it is the government that should ask me for a pardon."
Erap, unrepentant too, merely said he committed no crime.
Unfortunately for Erap, a person accused of a crime doesn't judge himself. Three Sandiganbayan justices for six years scoured mountain of evidence and law before they ruled Erap was guilty. Supreme Court may soon decide whether the anti-graft court erred.
No trumped-up charge, no kangaroo court. And lawyers, skilled in law and power billing, supplied competent defense.
True, finding of guilt affirms the precept that no one is above the law, not even a President. It also validates the basis for Mrs. Gloria Arroyo's ascent to power.
Motives, noble and not, raise suspicion but don't prove rigging of justice and don't argue for acquittal.
Price tag
Many Filipinos want Erap pardoned. But those who believe "we are men when we judge and we are God when we forgive" also think that pardon has a price tag.
Minimum cost is admitting guilt. He doesn't have to be sorry but Erap must accept that what he did---using awesome powers of his office to amass millions of pesos---was wrong.
Anything less ridicules the system that grants him the pardon. Erap cannot refuse the verdict of guilt and yet benefit from the pardon that rests on that verdict.
