While John has his views, my views are, perhaps, slightly different, and you can find them here.
I think there are only a few things we can assume.
1. Joseph Estrada valued his freedom more than the desire of others for him to make a martyr of himself by willingly seeking out imprisonment in New Bilibid.
2. The President obviously thinks her Edsa Dos constituency will grin and bear it, complain but in the end stick it out with her, or if they finally leave her now, it doesn’t matter.
3. The long Nov. 1 & 2 holidays might dissipate political energy enough so that the resumption of hostilities with the reopening of Congress on Nov. 5 will mean momentum will have to be built up again, instead of barreling along the way it has.
Meanwhile you may be interested in the debate Dean Jorge Bocobo and I are having in the comment section of his blog, over Joker Arroyo and the Inquirer’s story on that controversial senate executive session with Romulo Neri.
October 29th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Giving pardon to a person who remains defiant and without remorse is a clear sign of ignorance to his or her job [ as president ]
October 29th, 2007 at 10:29 am
I will certainly be sick if and when I read in the papers again how much of a “democracy” the Philippines is, and how “justice” is blind in that country, and that the corrupt should be afraid of dipping their fingers once more in the public coffers.
I will definitely throw up.
Because this much I now know, from now on, any body who have held a visible, high position can count on a presidential clemency since GMA has set the precedent.
The only ones who need to watch out will be the lowly rank-and-file and those in the middle management of government, the regional directors down.
They MIGHT go to jail, but, then, again, who knows.
They might not.
October 29th, 2007 at 9:18 am
On the pardon of Erap by GMA, today’s Philippine Commentary:
If Erap’s Pardon is Constitutional, Resignation Becomes a Loophole and Mockery of the Law
October 29th, 2007 at 9:11 am
A “good” move or an unjust move?
Gloria’s movements are geared toward political survival, term extension and corruption cover-ups.
Perhaps her moves can be considered “good” moves for those who benefit and are glad to perpetuate evils in governance.
October 28th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Di pwedeng idesregard ang accomplishments ni GMA kahit sabihin nating di siya popular. Accomplishments are better than trying to pull her down by politicians with no concrete proof. “Buti kita gawa kesa puro dada”