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Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Malacañang sidesteps clamor for Erap's pardon
MANILA -- Administration officials said any talk of a possible amnesty or pardon for former president Joseph Estrada is premature because the Sandiganbayan has not yet issued a verdict on his plunder case.
Chief presidential legal counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol said it would be better to refrain from commenting about the case, their expectations, and even the result of a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing close to half of Metro Manila residents favor a pardon for Estrada.
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"No comment muna (first) because any comment from Malacañang might be interpreted as interfering in the court's verdict. Let us await the verdict," he said. A resolution on Estrada's case is expected this month.
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said talks of pardon are inappropriate at this time since no one knows yet if Estrada would be convicted or acquitted.
The Sandiganbayan is expected to come up with a verdict in the next two weeks. The 90-day period allotted to study the case, including the presented evidence and testimonies by both camps, will lapse on September 15.
Gonzales added that if the former President was convicted and a pardon is considered, two factors should come into play: "if President Erap is willing to be pardoned and if President (Gloria Macapagal-) Arroyo is willing to give him pardon."
"It's up to the two Presidents. We'll have to wait," he said.
Gonzales is not sure of the motive behind the opposition's commissioning of the survey although he is aware that it was done.
He shrugged off speculations that the survey was a way to condition or influence the public and the Estrada supporters on the possible outcome of the case.
Gonzalez added that whatever the verdict, government forces are prepared to handle possible aftereffects including rallies that might ensue.
An SWS survey conducted from July 18 to 20 showed that about 48 percent of Filipinos, mostly from classes D and E, prefer that Arroyo pardon Estrada immediately in case the Sandiganbayan declares him guilty of plunder.
The survey, which covered 600 respondents from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, also showed that 38 percent wants Estrada pardoned "after some time" and 13 percent rejects any grant of pardon.
Metro Manila and the four provinces are opposition bailiwicks. (JMR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (September 4, 2007 issue)
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