Erap pardon indisputable – defense lawyers

“Case closed...all’s well that ends well. We’re pleased by the amazing speed." Those were words of defense lawyers that filled the airwaves Thursday night after they got wind of the news that their client, former president Joseph Estrada, has been pardoned. Lawyer Jose Flaminiano said they were pleased by the swift action of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in granting the deposed leader an executive clemency. “Perhaps the Palace had studied this for a long time because it is really one of the options of Estrada to avail himself of clemency," Flaminiano told DZBB. “Then her decision finally came today (Thursday)," the lawyer said. “[Mrs.] Arroyo weighed our arguments on why Estrada should be given executive clemency." Flaminiano said sectors planning to question Mrs Arroyo’s decision in courts are wasting their time because her action can no longer be disputed. “This is solely the prerogative of the President. They cannot question her in courts because of abuse of discretion," Flaminiano said. Another member of the defense team, Rene Saguisag said: “[Estrada] deserves it (pardon). He has been punished beyond anything the courts can impose. He has been illegally stripped of the presidency, incarcerated, humiliated, disgraced, denied from being with his family, his 102-year-old mother." Saguisag said “they are not even happy about this although we can live with it." He maintained that Estrada should not have been convicted in the first place. “This is the end. Case closed. There’s nothing more for the Sandiganbayan to do. Even the hearing on the 7th (November) that would have committed him to Bilibid, that would have been tragic," Saguisag said. Mrs Arroyo pardoned her ousted predecessor Thursday night, paving the way for his release a month after he was sentenced to life in prison for corruption. Acting Executive Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the pardon would restore Estrada's civil and political rights and would take effect upon his acceptance. There was no immediate reaction from the 70-year-old Estrada, who has been allowed by the anti-graft Sandiganbayan court to be detained in his sprawling villa in Tanay, Rizal, while appealing his Sept. 12 conviction for plunder. Estrada's lawyers withdrew his appeal Monday, removing a key obstacle to the grant of pardon. Mrs Arroyo cited her government's policy of releasing convicts who have reached 70, Estrada's 6 1/2 years' detention and his public pledge not to seek any public office in deciding to pardon her political nemesis. A court order forfeiting a mansion and more than US$15.5 million in bank accounts believed to be owned by Estrada would remain in place, according to Mrs Arroyo's decision, which was read by Bunye in a nationally televised announcement. "[Mrs] Arroyo is fully convinced that this pardon is in order," Bunye told reporters. A Sandiganbayan spokesman, Renato Bocar, said it would order Estrada's release after receiving a copy of Mrs Arroyo's grant of pardon. Estrada was ousted by a nonviolent "people power" revolt that was co-led by Mrs Arroyo, then his vice president, in 2001 over allegations of massive corruption and misrule. He was arrested and detained a few months later, angering his legions of followers. Estrada was convicted last September after a landmark six-year trial on charges that he took bribes and kickbacks while in office. He was sentenced to life in prison. Estrada has denied the charges and accused Arroyo of masterminding his removal in a conspiracy with leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and senior military officers. A former action film star who once pulled off the biggest election victory in Philippine history, Estrada remains popular among impoverished Filipinos who adored his B-movies, where he often portrayed roles as a champion of the poor. He served as an opposition icon, often criticizing Arroyo from behind bars. Estrada said this week that he would not seek public office even if that right were restored by presidential pardon. He said, however, he would continue to criticize Mrs Arroyo. - GMANews.TV