Saturday, November 03, 2007 Speak out: Thoughts on Erap’s pardon By Marjorie Ceniza
WHAT'S with President Arroyo granting pardon to former president Joseph Estrada?
The grounds for the move are, up to this time, still incomprehensible to the Filipino people.
Note that earlier Erap was also placed on house detention while on trial, contrary to the usual practice of the accused being locked up in a government jail.
Or I guess that practice applies only to those who hold no power or influence.
Meanwhile, Erap’s house arrest legalized and set a precedent for politicians mutually agreeing to protect each other’s business and other interests.
Indeed, Filipinos may have understood Erap’s house detention.
But should we be as understanding in the matter of the President freeing Erap from jail?
What about the justice system?
And what will happen to the billions of pesos plundered by Erap?
In sum, everyone does deserve to be forgiven, but forgiveness should never gloss over outcomes, penalties or accountabilities.
