 |
|
Deposed Philippine President Joseph
Estrada waves as he enters the courtroom to continue his testimony on
plunder charges in Quezon city, suburban Manila June 7, 2006. Estrada, 69,
is accused of amassing up to $80 million from state coffers and bribes
while in power for 31 months. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
MANILA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President
Gloria Macapacal-Arroyo on Thursday granted pardon to convicted former president
Joseph Estrada, who was sentenced to life for plunder.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye disclosed the
information at a press conference on national television.
The 70-year-old Estrada was found guilt of amassing
assets worthy of 4 billion pesos (about 86 million U.S. dollars) during his
presidency from 1998 to 2001.
Bunye said that with President Arroyo's grant of
pardon, Estrada may be able to walk out his Tanay resthouse as a free man by
this Friday noon.
He said it is the Arroyo administration's policy to
release inmates who have reached the age of 70, and that Estrada has already
served more than six years in detention while being tried for plunder.
The deposed president, who was convicted in this
September after a six-year trial, submitted his request for Arroyo's pardon on
Monday, saying that a "full, free, unconditional" pardon will serve the "highest
national interests."
Acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera in earlier
this week hinted that the government would consider granting Estrada pardon but
only the president has the final say.
Presidential pardon would mean the restoration of the
pardoned party's "full civil and political rights," Devanadera said.
The actor-turned-politician president was ousted in a
popular revolt in 2001. There were speculations that Estrada might run for
government post once he was granted pardon. Bunye on Thursday assured the public
that Estrada had committed not to seek office.
While people in Estrada's camp hailed the
ex-president's new life as a free man, prosecutors and people who were active in
the popular revolt to oust Estrada six years ago expressed their concerns.
Special Prosecutor Dennis Villaignacio, who is
involved in Estrada's plunder case, vowed to challenge the executive clemency
granted by President Arroyo to former president Joseph Estrada.
Villaignacio said that according to the Constitution,
Estrada is not eligible for pardon, an online report of national news network
Abs-cbn said late Thursday.
Villaignacio told Abs-cbn that Estrada should show
repentance before he is released. He said everyone knows that Estrada has
notmade that admission, adding that there should be "substantial incarceration"
after the conviction.
Official: Estrada could go home by
Christmas
MANILA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Jailed former Philippine
president Joseph Estrada could be set free by Christmas if President Gloria
Macapgal-Arroyo agrees to pardon him, said Philippine Interior and Local
Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Friday. Full story
Estrada willing to go to ordinary
jail
MANILA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Former Philippine president
Joseph Estrada is willing to be incarcerated in an ordinary jail after being
found guilty of the crime of plunder by the anti-graft court, his lawyer said
Thursday. Full story
Arroyo backs court order for Estrada's
trip to US
MANILA, Dec. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo said through her spokesman Wednesday that she supports the
anti-graft court's order allowing deposed president Joseph Estrada to seek
medical treatment in the United States. Full story
 |
|
Former Philippine President Joseph
Estrada waves to reporters as he arrives to visit his ailing mother, Mary
Ejercito, at San Juan hospital in Manila in this Oct. 8, 2007 file photo.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
[1] [2] [3] [4]
