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Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Estrada to appeal plunder verdict
MANILA -- Lawyers for former President Joseph Estrada will file Wednesday their motion for reconsideration of the Sandiganbayan decision convicting the deposed leader of plunder charges, after negotiations for an absolute pardon for the convicted leader has bogged down.
Jose Flaminiano, one of Estrada’s lawyers, said they were instructed by the former President to file the motion after the ousted leader’s camp and the Arroyo administration, represented by Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, failed to reach an agreement on a presidential pardon on Tuesday.
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Despite the setback, Puno reportedly said the exploratory talks between him and the Estrada camp will continue.
But for the meantime, Flaminiano said they have to avail of Estrada’s right to seek a reversal of the Sandiganbayan ruling.
Estrada does not want to take his chances and find himself with no way to go once his conviction becomes final because he did not avail of his right to file a motion for reconsideration, Flaminiano said.
“So in the event the negotiation bogged down or for any reason it is not consummated, we can still appeal the case before the Supreme Court to get a reversal of the Sandiganbayan decision,” Flaminiano added.
Flaminiano also said he respects Estrada’s decision to negotiate with the executive branch for a full pardon.
“That’s the judgment call of our client but we as of this moment are under instruction to file a motion for reconsideration,” he said. “We have to do it because otherwise, the decision will become final.”
Opposition
Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio meanwhile opposed the government’s plan to grant pardon to Estrada, saying this is not the right time to do it.
He said the time and effort of the court and the parties would be put to a waste should the government grant absolute pardon to Estrada less than a month after the Sandiganbayan handed down the guilty verdict on him.
“This may not be the appropriate time. If the government will grant absolute pardon to the former President at this time, it would be sending the wrong signal,” Ignacio said.
Ignacio also appealed to the executive branch to observe the rules and procedures on pardon; otherwise, there will be perception that the ousted leader is being accorded special treatment.
“It has to go through the Board of Pardon and Parole and then the prosecution should also be asked to comment,” he said.
He also insisted that Estrada cannot be granted pardon until his conviction becomes final.
Last September 12, the Sandiganbayan Special Division convicted Estrada of plunder and sentenced him to life in prison on charges that he amassed ill-gotten wealth during his short-lived presidency.
The court ordered the forfeiture of over P800 million in illegal gambling kickbacks and commission from the purchase of Belle Corp. shares by two financial institutions.
It also ordered the forfeiture of the so-called "Boracay Mansion" in New Manila, Quezon City that was allegedly bought using funds coming from the Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (September 26, 2007 issue)
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