DILG chief takes pardon papers to Erap

(Updated 3:50 p.m.) Ending over six hours of delay, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Friday took a helicopter to Tanay in Rizal carrying documents for the release of convicted former President Joseph Estrada. Radio dzBB said Puno, concurrent presidential political adviser, left Camp Crame shortly past 3 p.m. on board Philippine National Police (PNP) chopper RP 2043. He was accompanied by Interior assistant secretary Brian Yamsuan and Chief Superintendent Romeo Hilomen of the Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO). Police officials boarded a private helicopter to Tanay. Puno, who was reportedly caught up in meetings earlier in the day, earlier said he would arrive at Tanay about 9 a.m. "There were final, last-minute clarifications on the wordings and whatever. And also about the Sandiganbayan's concerns about the forfeiture issues. But we were able to solve that so we have to get there now ... We have to hurry up," Puno said. He added that, "everything has been fixed" and described Estrada's release as "tuloy na (it will happen)." The PNP helicopter and its pilot had been on standby at Camp Crame since 7:30 a.m. Once Estrada signs the pardon documents, Puno will bring these to the Sandiganbayan along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City for appropriate action by the Special Division justices. Radio reports said Puno arrived in Tanay at about 3:30 p.m. Puno told reporters in Camp Crame that he will request the Sandiganbayan to extend its office hours to make sure that the former president is released today (Friday). "I have all the papers with me, so I hope that within the next hour and a half, we can get all these things done," Puno added. As this developed, radio dzBB said Sandiganbayan Sheriff Ed Urieta already received a call from Puno, who relayed that the documents will reach the antigraft court in "20 minutes." The radio report was aired at 3:45 p.m. Estrada will sign the pardon papers should he accept it. The document will be attached to the ex-parte motion of defense lawyer Jose Flaminiano. Flaminiano, in his appeal, will ask the Sandiganbayan to order the PNP to release Estrada. The Sandiganbayan will then study the request, but government prosecutors may move to seek clarification on certain issues. - GMANews.TV