FORMER president Joseph Estrada was found not guilty of perjury, but has been found guilty of plunder. He has been sentenced to reclusion perpetua or a maximum of 40 years in prison.
His co-accused in the plunder case, his son Senator Jinggoy Estrada and lawyer Edward Serapio, have been found not guilty.
Visit INQUIRER.net Breaking News and The Estrada Trial special site for updates.
What do you think of the decision? Weigh in on the issue in our Vox Populi blog.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
i still dont get… can i have the complete notes of erap’s verdict…
September 18th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
pity 4 all who think erap is not guilty for plunder,admit it or not,, isang malaking palaisipan sa ating lahat that he have those all luxuries, mansions, di ba? kundi s mga kickbuks to those illegal gambling naturingan xang president why prang inaallow nya n mag operate those illegal activities.dpat lang n hatulan xa ng guilty
September 14th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Off-Topic: My Two-Cents on the last comment.
To the gentleman who goes by the name of Diego,
You are bickering about being ill-mannered on the way other people put their thoughts on this blog site and yet you display on your latest post the ill-manners which you, yourself saying you resent most. Pardon my use of the word bickering but it seems your last comment deserves no better word to be described. You say why do some people here directly addressed the other people with the handles they are using? I say it is better than calling people names such as “Mr. Read and Think” and “Mr. Sandiganbayan”. Wouldn’t it be more polite to call a person by his name than ‘psst’ or ‘Mr. —–’? And btw, what’s wrong with being analytical and objective? Could you just dubbed a person as being ‘intelligent’, hinting he/she is somewhat heartless and being aristocratic or anti-poor just because he hadn’t concurred to your opinion about a former president who advocates the so called ‘masa’? This is a free blog-site, wherein people could air their opinions on the topics presented. We can also air our sentiments on certain issues but at least feel obliged not to invoke hostility towards other people just because they don’t share your take on the topic or because your attention had been called upon wherein as I observed, you had initiated the “reaction” to other people’s opinion episodes. With this note I would like to end my piece with an extended version of a quote whose author I forgot the name,
“Love begets love, hate begets hate, what you reap, you will sow, better not say a word you might regret”
September 13th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Im so sorry and surprise. Some writer in this colummn are “SO INTELLIGENT” but has NO manners. Ethics should dictate that a writer should refrain in mentioning a name and the the 3rd person should always be used. (eg: To the kind gentlemen/ women who mention……) I guess I can’t blame them….It shows their breeding and how they were RAISE up by their parents. Pls stop using this as your PERSONNAL blog. You’re not even an editor of this colummn. Stick to the issue and NOT the personality.
And to Mr “Read and Think” or Mr “Sandigan Bayan”…(you know who you are or WHATEVER YOU ARE!!!)….an opinion is an opinion….we respect your opinion and you should RESPECT ours. LEARN from this: ” You may not agree to what I say… But I will defend my right to say it”
BTW…this is my last post to this column. I won’t waste my time interacting to ”very intelligent people”…but are Ill MANNERED!!! Good day to all of you
September 13th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
I agree with President Arroyo that it is time to move on. Leave ERAP legacy inthe past and move forward. There is nothing ERAP can do to the country. We should all together help each other to help this ARROYO government succeed. It will not be a good thing to mourne for ERAP right now because he is not yet dead. Let him suffer first the consequence of his ignorance bby being jailed in Muntinglupa with all the death row convicts. How I love to see the Asiong Salonga in real life and not in the motion picture. The government can do whatever they want with ERAP and for sure the people will not react. If they will hey should have done that 6 years ago to defend their beloved president but they didn’t; so I am 100% sure that ERAP is nothing but an insignificant ignorant person who rose to power by the ignorance of the masses. The peolple should now learn their lesson in electing a president. Kawawa naman ang tao kapag binigyan mo ng trabaho na hindi nya alam gampanan.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
[...] @play : Erap found guilty of plunder, acquitted of perjury charge [...]
September 13th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Ang galing ng mga lawyer ni erap sinadyang di basahin ang buong decision para di malaman ng tao how he was convicted. kung basahain lang nila ang buong decision kasi pagnabasa yun sa buong sambayanan baka mahimatay si Erap.
September 13th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Bakit hindi nabangit kung sino ang mga jueteng at gambling lord na nagbigay ng pera?Anim na taon,dapat may nakasuhan man lang o kaya may warrant .Kahit si Chavit hindi sinasabi kung sino itong mga gambling lord na ito.Sa ledger ba na sinasabi hindi nakasulat ang mga pangalan nung mga nagbigay ng pera.
September 13th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
To Jericho - hindi ako nag-salita ng kahit na anong masama at masasakit na salita sa kahit na kaninong taong nagsusulat dito, pero kung yan ang gusto mo… **** *** mag-sulat na lang kayo ng inyong saloobin at wag na kayong magsulat ng mga kagagaguhan at mga di magagandang kumento sa mga sumusulat din dito..ok…You Fool…
And for you werd, GoodLuck para kasing ang tali-talino mo…
September 13th, 2007 at 11:41 am
TO Diego… maybe you really don’t know what plunder means… read: Definition of the Crime of Plunder; Penalties.- Any public officer who, by himself or in connivance with members of his family, relatives by affinity or consanguinity, business associates, subordinates or other persons, amasses, accumulates or acquires ill gotten-wealth through a combination or series of overt criminal acts as described in Section 1 (d) hereof in the aggregate amount or total value of at least Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) shall be guilty of the crime of plunder and shall be punished by reclusion perpetua to death.
Please read the whole decision before you react: One part of the decision states that The SSS/GSIS purchase of Belle Corporation was deposited in the account of Jose Velarde, ERAP owns the velarde account so what proof can you asked for if the 189Million Pesos was deposited into his account. This is a clear statement that the money inside that account is a product of plunder. READ AGAIN the FINE PRINTS. Open your eyes and don’t just read THINK.
TO John Manalili..
Think and READ the decision… NAGPAYAMAN SI ERAP! Di ko sinasabi na ang ibang nakaupo hindi nagpayaman o nagpapayaman, the topic is about erap’s conviction… so stick to the topic. For others (gloria et al.), I will pray that they will have their own days in court.
TO Jericho, salute to you, sana ganyan lahat mag-isip.
September 13th, 2007 at 10:27 am
One down after what? 6 years? There’s still craploads of others there that need a very cozy prison cell, or possibly a very dull-bladed guillotine. If all corruption trials take this long, the Philippines would be covered by call centers and the state religion would be Islam and we still won’t be done with a third of them! I hate people power-type uprisings or whatever they’re called. It shows how stupid and gullible people are for voting either corrupt or weak leaders, then they overthrow them by gathering in front on a huge statue that was built in memory of a revolt that succeeded but never had any religious significance. It’s almost similar to the statue of Lenin that once stood in Moscow. . . . a bad idea taken too far. I for one vote that it be taken down, crushed and its pieces be used to fill up the potholes along EDSA.
September 13th, 2007 at 8:20 am
I fully agree with the Sandiganbayan’s verdict that former Pres. Estrada is guilty beyond reasonable doubt. To me this is a triumph of our justice system and I hope that the Erap case will serve as a stern warning to the legions of corrupt government officials that sooner or later they will reap the fruits of their evil ways.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:54 am
We really didn’get it. Somebody here mentioned this re:” For those who are saying that erap is not guilty. Read first the complete decision by the Sandigan Justices” . I say…the sandigabayan justices said that Erap admitted as the one owning the Jose Velarde account….but the prosecution lawyers failed to prove that the money inside that account was a product of plunder. READ the fine prints
September 13th, 2007 at 6:28 am
it’s pathetic. they way his supporters have reacted on the estrada conviction. seems that they can’t distinguished between good and bad, or right and wrong. equating erap’s innocence with the sins of this administration is a non-sequitor. kung ganyan ang attitude natin talagang wala na yatang pag-asa umasenso pa itong bayan natin. kawawa naman si juan.
September 13th, 2007 at 6:25 am
To those who keep on saying that estrada is not guilty, STFU and READ the whole verdict.
The reason why this country can’t move forward is becase people like you think through your mouths not through your heads.
If you will stop being the lazy retards that you are now and read the whole verdict, you will realize what a fool have you been for believing estrada is not guilty.
To those who keep on asking why Chavit wasn’t convicted, I have 3 words for you. PRIMARY STATE WITNESS.
Google it and stop whining.
To AJ Ramiro, you’re wanton display of stupidity is consistent with the typical estrada fanatic. You treat estrada as the all mighty God who cannot do no wrong. I guess now you know that Estrada is not God and not everybody is foolish enough (like you) to believe Estrada.
September 13th, 2007 at 6:11 am
Now that the verdict is over, it is about time that the Philippine will show to the world that they can implement justice in the Philippines. Otherwise, other countries will not believe the justice system in the Philippines. ERAP should not be treated spececially. He should be jailed in Muntinglupa while while waiting for the the Supreme court final decision. Justice should be served no matter what, look at what Iraq did to Saddam. They show the world that justice can be implemented in that country. If ERAP will continue t stay in Tanay Resthouse enjoying all the privilidges of a free man then walang kwenta ang hustisya natin.
September 12th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Werd, Y dont you open your eyes at the present government, before saying na nagpayaman si ERAP……dyan ang Fertilizer Scam, sabit si gloria dyan, at ang pinakabagong-bago ang ZTE, so dont tell me na si erap ang nagpayaman.., ang kasalukuyang gobyerno ay patuloy na nagpapayaman and i can guarantee you before Gloria step down on 2010…ubos ang pera ng pilipinas…guilty or not guilty si ERAP lang ang naging presidente na may plataporma at puso para sa pangkaraniwang mamamayanan..peace.
September 12th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
We dont agree with the outcome. Erap is not guilty by law wala silang napatunayan na plunder ang ginawa ni Erap si Singson ang gumawa hindi si Erap.Basahin niyo ang hatol.Si Erap ay biktima ng mga malupit na conspiracy sa politika.
Bakit nila hinatulan si Erap ng guilty samantalang mas maraming maknanakaw sa Gobyerno si Erap hindi siya magnanakaw biktima siya ng mga taong ganid sa kapangyarihan.
Now you people there bulag kayo sa batas ng Gobyerno sa Pilipinas. Si Marcos ba nahatulan ng Plunder,Si Bolante ba nahatulan ng Plunder,Si Singson ba nadawit sa kaso ni Erap samantala na siya ang kumuha ng pera.Maraming Politiko na nagnakaw bakit hindi nila hinatulan ng Plunder at ngayon nagpapasarap sa buhay Bakit…..Bakittttt
….
Tanga na lang tayo kung maniniwala tayo na si Erap ay guilty sa plunder…..
Hindi natutulog ang Diyos…
Justice will prevail to Erap………
God Bless you Erap,We Love You , we Believe in you………………
September 12th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
[...] @play : Erap found guilty of plunder, acquitted of perjury charge [...]
September 12th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
For those who are saying that erap is not guilty. Read first the complete decision by the Sandigan Justices. The lawyers of ERAP are really smart because they did not allowed for everyone to hear the overwhelming evidences against erap by asking the court to read only the verdict and not the explanation why the justices arrived on such verdict.
Para sa masa ang plataporma pero ang daming tinamasang kayamanan…
September 12th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
that’s great, at least nangyari dapat mangyari. kaya lang bakit hindi kasama si jinggoy?bakit not guilty? makuha nga kaya ng gov. ung ill gotten wealth nila? i doubt it.
September 12th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Walang duda, matagal ng nagdesisyon ang SANDIGANBAYAN na guilty si Pres. ERAP formality nalang ang nangyari sa araw na’to….at naniniwala ako n si GMA ang humatol kay ERAP…Dummy lang ang mga 3 mahestrado…Mabuhay ka President ERAP…guilty ka’man sa iilang tao, Lalo na sa kasalukuyang INUTIL na GOBYERNO mas nakakarami ang NAGMA-MAHAL at naniniwala na wala kang kasalanan…Erap…Erap..Erap..
September 12th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Our justice system is still very slow. No speedy trials especially to the privileged or rich. It has been more than 5 years of waiting Estrada’s verdict. At least, I am bit proud of our country’s justice system to finally set a good example to punish a corrupt government official. Why there are so many corrupt officials in our government? Hmm.. co-accused are acquitted. There’s a lot out there on the loose. If all the people want to get rid of losing their hopes for the good of the country. Let us catch all these wicked and crooks. Wow.. justice system paki-speed up naman, ang bagal nyo.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Let him have his day in jail.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Where is that guy who declared in his privilege speech, the famous I ACCUSE!!! with glowing eyeballs that made Sen. Enrile furious. He started it all, even boasted he has had a lot of evidences. We better ask his comment. Who knows maybe after this event, he will jump ship again.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
The fact of the matter is, he was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the bigger offense- that is plunder. The good thing about that is the gov’t will be able to confiscate all the ill-gotten assets. I think that is more important than whether serving or nor serving time in prison (which is most likely his resthouse). I-pardon na siya kung gusto nila, mabalik lang ang nakulimbat na SSS/GSIS contributions.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
for me, mlabo ang naging hatol, kayalang talagang ganun, bakit si Chavet hindi nakulong? napakaramimg gumagawa sa gubyerno ng katiwalian….Kyalang mabait masyado si former Pres. Estrada…dahil alam nia wala siang kasalanan.! makunsensia ang lahat ng gumagawa ng katiwalian
September 12th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
I do believe that former Pres. Estrada is not guilty…
September 12th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Some of us really didn’t get it….its a case of “damm if you do or damm if you don’t”. If Erap was not found guilty…then this present administration will loss its legal mandate to rule. On the otherhand if Erap was proclaimed guilty then the goverment has only to deal with a handful of Erap symphatizers and oppositionist. So in the spirit of reconciliation the administration is following it up with a pardon….to appease any protest. But Erap’s camp is not DUMB to accept it. They know that their client is innocent and evidences against him are weak. Accepting pardon is tantamount as in accepting your guilt. I still say Erap can still appeal to the highest court of the land…but up to what extent and how long? Before another decision can be handed down…Erap will suffer another 5-6 years in jail and this present administration will finish it’s tenure already.
September 12th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
their fam. is the fam of trouble makers…they always persuade Filipinos to show their anger through rallies w/c is not good for the economy…they’re after the position, ofcourse the power they could get, imagine they got the highest positions in d govt. starting from the father down to his sons…if you really are concerned for the Filipino people, please educate them to be well disciplined,but then no one’s perfect but we can always change for the better, to us Filipinos please let go of the issue and move on with our lives and think of ways on how we could help our economy, ourselves, stop focusing on their lives, bein pity on them, the best thing we could do is to be responsible citizens, the very best thing we could do is to pray, ask god to help our country, guide us to vote wisely, think twice the next time you’ll put someone in position, the first criteria we should look on is if that person allows God to work for him & for the country, cuz if we choose someone who’s Godly, who’s God fearing, all things will fall into the right place, ” The real power comes from God and not from us.”..Let’s just pray for their family, hoping that all of us will do everything to live in peace with everybody.
September 12th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Itong si Dennis talaga oo…Ano ba pinagsasabi mo….siyempre kailangan ng gobiyerno magpre caution. Ano ba gusto niyo, wala silang mga ginawang preparation sa possible na gulong mangyayari?? Tanga lang siguro ang hindi mag pre prepare.
He gave the Philippines a good reputation? Huh, alam mo ba pinagsasabi mo. Nakalimutan mo na ba yung pinaalis niya na cabinet member nito na nagsabing magdamag nag iinuman sina Erap at ang kanyang “Midnight Cabinet”. How about gambling, having too many mistresses, etc. Good reputation ba yun for the Philippines. Saan ka ba planeta nanggaling bro?
September 12th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Guilty verdict is just the beginning. Other big personalities should be next like Bolante,Garci,Gen.Garcia,etc. etc. Chavit, Dechavez, Atong Ang should also be included in case as they are the one who collected the money.
September 12th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
this should be a warning to all crocodiles in the government to stop doing things that are not god worthy..let gloria arroyo and the guys be next in line..
September 12th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I’m surprised, how come erap was acquited from perjury.
September 12th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Erap should ask pardon for what he has done, i think the Filipino people will forgive him.
September 12th, 2007 at 11:44 am
It has been a forgone conclusion as evidenced by the extreme measures the Administration has taken especially less than 24hours before the sentencing. He should be placed on house arrest instead and not serve the sentence in prison considering his age and the way they have treated him ever since the scandal came out more than half a decade ago. He may be guilty, but he still gave the Philippines a respectable reputation in the way he ran the country. It may be unorthodox, but it was way better than what happened when they placed a midget in his place.
September 12th, 2007 at 11:42 am
It was just proven that no one is above the law………………..sometimes, specially when you’re not with them
[isang maliit at malaking tao and Co.]
September 12th, 2007 at 10:54 am
I believe Pres. Erap should be acquited on all charges leveled against him. He has suffered a lot already for more than 6 years.
September 12th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Now that Pres ERAP is guilty, will the sentence of imprisonment be actually served? Considering that Erap is how old?