Signed pardon papers reach Sandigan

The Sandiganbayan received Friday afternoon the documents signed by former President Joseph Estrada for his presidential pardon. The pardon papers will be attached to the ex-parte motion of defense lawyer Jose Flaminiano, who will ask the Sandiganbayan to order the Philippine National Police (PNP) to release Estrada. Estrada's signature on the document came with a short message: "Received and accepted." Radio reports said Sandiganbayan Sheriff Ed Urieta received the document from Senior Superintendent Petronio Retirado, chief of operations for the Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO), at 4 p.m. Earlier reports said Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno was expected to bring the executive clemency papers to the Sandiganbayan. Accompanied by Interior and police officials, Puno traveled by helicopter to ensure that the documents would be transported quickly. The antigraft court will now study the request, even though it said earlier in the day that the Estrada camp will have to satisfy issues pertaining to the forfeiture of the deposed president's ill-gotten wealth. Sandiganbayan spokesman Renato Bocar said the justices will deliberate if the deposed leader can be released before they can make a decision on the forfeiture issue. "The Sandiganbayan justices will clarify what is contained in the 'absolute' pardon that was given and they will discuss if the former president will be able to satisfy the aspects of the forfeiture, consisting of bank accounts that have very little money left," Bocar said in Filipino. He added that, "[The justices will determine] If this problem with the satisfying of forfeited accounts is a legal impediment for the physical release of the former president. [They can decide to] discuss this another time or find out if this will become a subject of another writ of execution." The Sandiganbayan on September 12 ordered that Estrada return to the Filipino people P545.291 million in illegal jueteng money, including the P200 million deposited in the Erap Muslim Youth Foundation; P189 million deposited in the infamous "Jose Velarde" account; as well as the "Boracay Mansion" in New Manila, Quezon City. - GMANews.TV