Pardon on Erap, A Second Chance?
My first reaction was disappointment at our President when she granted absolute pardon to Erap. What happened to all that government money spent on his trial? By giving Erap that absolute pardon, our president restored all his civil and political rights, which were automatically removed by his conviction of atrocious crimes involving illegally amassing billions of pesos by virtue of his public office. I am not going to talk about the political implications of Erap’s absolute pardon.
I believe everyone should be given a second chance to fix things right. The thing is a deal was worked out in that Erap can keep some, if not most, of the money he got during his years as a so-called public servant. This was openly admitted by Estrada’s lawyers and Malacanang and is reportedly included in the document giving him executive clemency. I feel bad that he gets to keep most of the money . More than $15.5 million in bank accounts believed to be owned by him would remain in effect, Bunye said.
When one is given a second chance in life, one should be willing to make amends, a healing change. The absolute pardon can inspire Erap to prove to us that he deserves this chance. But first of all, why does he get to keep most of the money he acquired in his presidency? If ever he keeps this money, I hope he can use this to benefit the poor or improve our economy in future projects.
Before we actually make amends or begin to consider appropriate amends, we allow ourselves to change our attitude. This is where healing begins–within us. Erap started by recognizing the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. I cannot determine if Erap’s recognition is sincere or not but I would rather assume it was necessary for him to establish that in order to start a new life. I assume he wants to change and become a better person and learn from his mistakes.
Do you think Erap deserves this pardon? Do you believe a person can have a renewed positive life if given the chance?
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Hi, Mam Noemi. The monies that the Sandiganbayan ordered forfeited remains forfeited. The pardon does not cover the money that Erap has before he became president, since this money is not covered by the forfeiture order by the Sandigan.
@arbet- ah I stand corrected then. It must be the more than $15.5 million in bank accounts believed to be owned by him would remain in effect that Bunye pointed out.
I’m quoting what I have been commenting in our multiply network: “tsk tsk. I knew it na idadaan nila sa pasikot-sikot ng legalities ang lahat. “Convict>Pardon”…tsk tsk Ano bang Moral Ascendency meron ang mga leaders ng bansa natin… =’(”
@maki- probably a time to be forgiving? or just for political propaganda
yes, everyone deserves a second chance, but for crimes that have been proven, esp through the justice system, one must first serve the appropriate punishment. Gosh! for Erap, h was proven guilty, then too soon, he was given an unconditional pardon!
might was well pardon those people who had crimes of lesser weight, if second chance is all it is about. there is more to it, WE ALL KNOW!
I feel that the Estrada pardon is a mockery of the Philippine Justice System. What could we now expect in our country’s justice system that is easily overruled by the president?
I’m a simple, average person and I have only a simple view of things. Somebody committed a crime and he was convicted for it, therefore, he should serve the penalty for it, or if the president wants to cut it a bit short, then she could. But to give him the pardon just right after the conviction? It’s insane. We can always forgive a person for his wrongdoings, but still a penalty should be served.
I blogged about this too here: http://tesstermulo.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/the-estrada-pardon-a-mockery-of-the-philippine-justice-system/
Noemi, I strongly disagree with GMA’s unconditional pardon to ERAP. After all the efforts of our govt. prosecutors, the money spent on this trial and the millions of people who trooped to EDSA (including my family)—with the same belief that he is guilty of plunder, now he was released 6 weeks after his conviction. This is really a mockery of the justice system in the highest degree. We have the big fish, only to let him go. He now openly speaks of supporting GMA’s impeachment and he has the gall to say that his properties cannot be garnished by the govt. bec. they’re not ill-gotten. The Velarde bank account now only contains P2,000.00 (2K). How can we now forfeit what he has stashed away during the trial? Kumuha lang si GMA ng batong ipukpok sa ulo nya, tsk, tsk.