Erap’s conviction gets cold reaction in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – Reaction to the guilty verdict here is as cold as the weather except for those who are directly involved in the plunder case of former President Joseph Estrada. Workers, professionals and businessmen shared light moments before television screens, but as soon as the court reader read the guilty verdict, "we knew it" was the common response from a group of journalist. There were no rallies, no pickets and even gamblers did not bet on the outcome of the case. There were no takers for the "not guilty" side. Private prosecution lawyer Pablito Sanidad said there can be no guilty verdict without former Ilcos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit" Singson. “Hindi pwedeng maging guilty and conviction ni Erap kung hindi kay Chavit who was brave enough to come out in the open to tell the truth," he said. Sanidad’s other brother and fellow private prosecution Lawyer Arnulfo sent a text message expressing his disappointment over the acquittal of Jinggoy Estrada and lawyer Edward Serapio. Arnulfo said the two might not be the principal, but they should be convicted as accomplice. George Dumawing, Integrated Bar of the Philippines for Baguio and Benguet president, said Estrada’s assets should not be confiscated by the government. Estrada has a luxury log house in Camp John Hay here and another mansion made of Canadian cedar on Paterno St. near the Baguio Country Club. Former workers of the defunct Cordillera Executive Board and the Cordillera Regional Assembly, the two regional bodies abolished by Estrada in 2000, said the former leader got what he deserved. GMANews.TV