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Thursday, September 13, 2007
Survey says more Pinoys want Estrada pardoned
MANILA -- More than half of Filipinos had expected former President Joseph Estrada to be acquitted of plunder and perjury charges, but if found guilty, 84 percent want him to be pardoned, the September 2 to 5 survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.
The SWS survey, with 1,200 respondents, said 62 percent of Filipinos do not believe that Estrada enriched himself from corrupt practices when he was President. Only 36 percent believed that he amassed wealth while he was in power.
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Among the respondents, 66 percent in Mindanao, 65 percent of those in Metro Manila, 61 percent in Luzon, and 59 percent in the Visayas believed that Estrada did not enrich himself.
Among the socioeconomic classes, 72 percent among the poor Class E and 60 percent among those in Class D do not believe that Estrada enriched himself. However, 59 percent among the elite Classes ABC believe that Estrada did.
Acquittal was expected by 57 percent of Filipinos. The sentiment was dominant in all areas, with 63 percent in Mindanao, 57 percent in Luzon, 56 percent in Metro Manila and 50 percent in the Visayas.
Class ABC had a split opinion of 47 percent expecting acquittal and 44 percent expecting conviction, while majorities of 56 percent in Class D and 62 percent in Class E expected acquittal.
In case Estrada is declared guilty of plunder, 84 percent of respondents want him pardoned -- with 48 percent saying it should be done immediately, and 36 percent saying he should be pardoned after some time.
Only 14 percent said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should not pardon him.
Preference for immediate pardon for Estrada is higher in Metro Manila (52 percent) and Luzon (51 percent) than in the Visayas (45 percent) and Mindanao (43 percent).
Those saying Arroyo should never pardon Estrada are somewhat higher in the Visayas than in other areas.
Lower classes have stronger feelings about immediate pardon for the former President than higher classes: 55 percent among Class E, 47 percent among Class D, and 37 percent among Classes ABC.
The SWS survey showed that if Estrada is convicted, the average answer of those polled believe that he should only serve five more years. Only 12 percent said he should be immediately released.
In case of conviction, 75 percent of Filipinos prefer Estrada to remain in Tanay, Rizal, while 21 percent said he should be jailed in Muntinlupa City.
Fifty percent were undecided on whether they trust the Sandiganbayan to render a fair judgment, 27 percent had much trust in the anti-graft court while 23 percent had little trust in it. (JMR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (September 13, 2007 issue)
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