AFTER spending hundreds of millions for the Joseph Estrada case and after he has been proven guilty of plunder, he is going to walk a free man again soon.
As a political scientist and a student of law, I say our justice system is the worst in the world if he is to become a free man despite the seriousness of the crimes committed by that old man.
Our sentiments for him do not matter. Yes, he deserves pity somehow. However, he does not deserve to be a free man at all.
Justice shall be served. Justice shall prevail.
– Joseph Umadhay, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines (via e-mail)
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October 5th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Pardon for Estrada? Naglolokohan na tayo nyan. We will be the laughing stock of the world and this country will always have a corrupt leader.
Ganun lang pala e… Mangurakot ka, kahit kasuhan ka, patatawarin ka naman at makukuha mo naman ulit yung kinurakot mo…. Ang galing no! Ang talino ng Pinoy!
Ganito na lang ba? Nagmumukha na tayong tanga! Bat wala tayong ginagawa? Asan na yung mga taong mareklamo dati at nagpoprotesta? Mga organisasyon mahilig sa protesta?
Regarding dito kay Erap, tahimik naman sila. Walang silbi. Sariling interest lang. Di na dapat pagkatiwalaan yang mga grupong yan.
Sayang, mga lider pa naman sila nakaupo sa Senado at sa kamara…. Pero walang silbi… Mag-iingay lang para sa sariling interest! Mga hayup!
Hindi dapat i-pardon si Erap. Ikulong at sana mabulok sa bilangguan… Ginagamit lang ang mother nya para makalabas. Kunwari, pero yun pala meeting lang with opposition yung totoo.
Bat di natin gawin tulad ng nagawa sa Chile…. Pati yung kamag-anak, ikulong. Dont forget, yung Marcoses! Mga walang hiya talaga! http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1668403,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-top-linkbox
We have to act now!
October 2nd, 2007 at 2:51 am
WHAT PARDON? BY WHOM AND WHOSE AUTHORITY? GMA HAS NEVER GOTTEN THE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FILIPINOS AS A PRESIDENT ANYWAY. A GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CLOUD OF BOGUSNESS HAS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO EVEN CONDUCT INVESTIGATION, WHAT MORE OF CONVICTING ANYONE? CONVICT THEMSELVES…THAT’S WHAT MORE LIKE IT. GLORIA AND HER COHORTS MUST ANSWER FOR THEIR CRIMES BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL COURT OF THE PEOPLE, ONE UNDER THE RULE OF LAW. SINCE GLORIA USURPED THE POWER FROM A DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY…WITH THE HELP OF HER EQUALLY LYING, CONNIVING BASTARDS POLITICIANS, MOSTLY THE SCUMS RESIDUE OF THE MARCOS ADMINISTRATION…THE CONSTITUTION HAS BEEN RENDERED USELESS AND THE COUNTRY IS NOW BEING RULED BY A GROUP OF GANGSTERS WHOSE EFFORT FROM DAY ONE IS TO SELL THE COUNTRY’S NATURAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURES TO FOREIGN PROFITEERS AND SWINDLERS IN EXCHANGE FOR ANY PRICE TO LINE THEIR OVERSEAS ACCOUNTS.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:22 am
It should not surprise anyone why the perception index on corruption has gone lower again. In the eyes of the global community of entrepreneurs that do business in the Philippines they see the morals of this country’s political leaders have gone down one more notch because they find it incredible that these so-called leaders, from the President to the Senators like Villar, Roxas, Madrigal, Lacson, Legarda, even that tottering old man Guingona who initiated Erap’s impeachment at the Senate are stepping on each other’s toes in trying to free that convicted felon from being committed to prison. These are the same people who cry for honesty in governance but are the first ones to save their own kind from going to prison. These are the officials who should never be voted next time they run for publc office for disgracing the good image of the country.
September 30th, 2007 at 9:46 am
I enjoin all the Filipinos all over the world to bombard with continous text messages Villar, Vidal, Apostol, Guingona, and others, who are proposing pardon or amnesty, through the media about our strong and vehement objection thus making an Absolute Mockery of Justice in our beloved country. This will send a strong message and show our indignation against our corrupt officials.
September 30th, 2007 at 1:55 am
I see the prospect of giving pardon to Joseph Estrada as anticipation to what might happen to Gloria after her term.
The saying that “in politics, there are no permanent friends, only permanent vested interest” applies to the present situation. I don’t believe that Gloria is offering pardon to Erap for national reconciliation; she’s doing it to protect her own political interest and to minimize political opposition to her administration.
Erap, a convicted plunderer by the anti-graft court (Sandiganbayan) should not be extended with presidential pardon as this would give a negative impression to the people that stealing billions of pesos is just fine. This would be a grand mockery of the justice system of our country.
Pardon is based on principle. “It forgives but not forgets”. It can be extended only to persons who have admitted their guilt of the crime committed and showed remorse for what they have done. In this case, Erap continues to assert his innocence even after the evidence showed otherwise.
Pardon in essence, is a presidential prerogative. But since the president, just like all other elected government official, is a representative of the sovereign people, he/she must exercise such prerogative with utmost prudence giving only such privilege to deserving ones. It this case, Erap falls short of qualification to merit pardon whether partial or absolute.
It would be foolishness at its best should Filipinos condone Erap’s crooked acts or any corrupt government official for that matter.
Thieves in the government would surely rejoice with Erap’s pardon since one of their own escaped the cleansing operation of justice.
Erap must pay the price for his wrongdoing even if it would mean spending his remaining years in prison.
No one is above the law. Erap, therefore, cannot be above the law.
We, Filipinos during EDSA II had Erap resigned and jailed because of the perceived betrayal of our trust and irregularity on the way he manages the country. After six long years of trial and after having us vindicated of our move, should we let Erap walk-out of “confinement” as a free man?
If there is one thing that we regret with EDSA II, it is that we installed a leader just like the deposed one. Power corrupts and when it does, it corrupts absolutely.