FORMER Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman Perfecto Yasay has apologized to former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada for his role in the 2001 Edsa People Power revolt that removed the latter from Malacanang.
Yasay issued the apology Sunday night before a huge gathering of the 25th anniversary of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City. Estrada also attended the event.
“I would like to apologize for I have failed to ask forgiveness for what happened 10 years ago. I have offended this man and I ask for his forgiveness,” Yasay said to cheers from the crowd.
Yasay, who was instrumental in the impeachment trial of Estrada, which led to Edsa Dos and his eventual trial and conviction of plunder in the Sandiganbayan, said he realized that he was only used in the conspiracy to oust Estrada from power.
“Please accept my public apology for being so naive…allowing myself to be used by some to grab the presidency from you. Past is past, I hope you can be my Valentine” he added, drawing amused laughter from the crowd.
Yasay is running for vice president in the coming May elections under the Bangon Pilipinas of evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva.
Estrada accepted the apology, saying he has already forgiven all those who conspired against him.
He said he learned to forgive all those who conspired to remove him from power during detention while the plunder case is being heard by the anti-graft, adding that it was one of the lessons he got from reading the Holy Bible.
Yasay is the third big personality to apologize to the former President for Edsa Dos.
The first was Bishop Antonio Tobias followed by the late President Cory Aquino in 2008.
Aquino, the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, and a majority of Estrada’s cabinet men who deserted him and civil society were instrumental in his ouster.
Aquino issued the apology during the 2008 book launching of the “Global Filipino" book of former Speaker Jose de Venecia, which was an authorized biography written by US journalist Brett Decker. (AH/Sunnex)