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Monday, September 24, 2007
Arroyo approves talks on pardon for Erap
MANILA – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved negotiations on a possible pardon for former president Joseph Estrada, who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for plunder, her legal adviser said Sunday.
Arroyo was open to granting an unconditional pardon depending on the result of talks between Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Estrada, who is being held in his sprawling countryside villa near Manila, chief presidential legal counsel Sergio Apostol said.
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"Hopefully, if this pardon is granted, it will remove one cause of political tensions," Apostol said.
“The President is very sincere. There’s no indication that Secretary Ronaldo Puno will be stopped from negotiating with the Estrada camp,” he said.
Apostol said they are supportive of Puno’s efforts, including the completing of talks and issuance of pardon by Christmas. He said it would be the “right time.”
Estrada said he was open to such talks, and if the terms of a pardon were acceptable he may decide not to pursue plans for an appeal against his Sept. 12 conviction for plunder by the special anti-graft Sandiganbayan court.
"If there is an assurance of an absolute pardon, which would not amount to an admission of guilt, I'm open to withdrawing any motion for reconsideration," Estrada told the AP by telephone from his villa.
Estrada said he was ready to discuss a pardon with Puno, who would visit him on Wednesday.
Puno last week said they are now on the advanced stage of an agreement on the grant of pardon to Estrada. He added that Estrada's softening of stand on accepting a pardon is proof that the negotiations is working.
Asked if it would be an absolute pardon similar to the one given by former US President Gerald Ford to his predecessor Richard Nixon, Apostol said the negotiations is still being done by Puno.
The developments have sparked hopes that the long enmity between Arroyo and Estrada - which has caused political crises and frequent coup rumors - could finally ease.
Apostol said a legal study he undertook showed Estrada could be granted a presidential pardon but not an amnesty, which usually covers insurgents and political offenders. An amnesty program also takes time to enforce because it has to be ratified by Congress, he said.
Estrada was convicted after a landmark six-year trial on charges that he took bribes and kickbacks while in office. His conviction on plunder carried the death penalty, but capital punishment has been abolished in the Philippines.
He was acquitted of perjury related to allegations he falsely declared his assets. He also was ordered to forfeit a mansion and more than US$15.5 million (euro11 million).
Estrada has denied the charges and accused Arroyo of masterminding his removal in a conspiracy with leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and senior military officers.
Regaining freedom has become more urgent for Estrada because of his mother's deteriorating health.
Estrada said his 103-year-old mother has been confined to a hospital for the last two months due to a variety of illnesses.
"I'm really worried. I want to be by her bedside," Estrada said.
Estrada, a former action film star who once pulled off the biggest election victory in Philippine history, remains popular among impoverished Filipinos who adored his B-movies where he often portrayed roles as a champion of the poor.(AP/JMR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila. (September 24, 2007 issue)
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