Tearful Estrada signs pardon papers, his ticket to freedom

10/26/2007 | 03:43 PM

(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

Other Nation stories

‘SC decision on chief justice issue to mar economy, practice of law’
03/20/2010 | 02:33 AM
The Supreme Court’s (SC) decision allowing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint the next chief justice may have ill effects on the economy, and even in the practice of law in country,... More

Ateneo dean, Mindanao educator new members for MILF talks
03/19/2010 | 10:46 PM
A dean from the Ateneo de Manila University and an educator from Mindanao were tapped to help the Philippine government in its peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). More

Gordon hails new law that makes it easier to secure land titles
03/19/2010 | 10:24 PM
Presidential aspirant Richard Gordon on Thursday hailed the passage of a bill that would allow residents to acquire titles for residential properties they have possessed for more than 10 years. More

Rally reminds Olongapo folk of Gordon's 1991 style
03/19/2010 | 10:02 PM
OLONGAPO CITY— As the red-shirted man who wants to be the next president took center stage at a campaign rally in his home city of Olongapo, Jesse Cao could not help but remember how this same... More

Edu bets on timing, message of upcoming political ad
03/19/2010 | 08:13 PM
Administration vice presidential bet Eduardo “Edu" Manzano claims to know the secret of an effective advertising campaign. It’s all about the timing and the message, he told GMANews.TV during a... More

Erap takes swipe at Villar, Noynoy
03/19/2010 | 07:58 PM
President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino took a swipe at two of his rivals to loud cheers of his supporters on Friday. More

Ex-Arroyo spokesperson helps Villar secure audience with Bacolod INC
03/19/2010 | 06:43 PM
A former spokesperson of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday helped Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar Jr. secure an audience with local leaders of Iglesia ni Cristo... More

No need for generators at polling places — Comelec
03/19/2010 | 05:03 PM
Despite the looming power crisis, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday stressed it has no plans of purchasing or leasing generator sets for the polling places come election day. More