Tearful Estrada signs pardon papers, his ticket to freedom

(Updated 4:04 p.m.) Former president Joseph Estrada was driven to tears as he signed the executive clemency papers handcarried by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno to the deposed leader's rest house in Tanay, Rizal. This was revealed by Interior assistant secretary Brian Yamsuan, who accompanied Puno in the signing. He said Estrada was overcome by emotions and "cried." Puno, concurrent presidential political adviser, left Camp Crame en route to Tanay shortly past 3 p.m. on board Philippine National Police (PNP) chopper RP 2043 after more than six hours of delay. He was earlier expected to arrive in Tanay at 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," Puno said in Filipino. Puno will take the signed documents to the Sandiganbayan. It 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