Friday, October 26, 2007 Guv: Pardon was Arroyo's option
LOCAL officials were mostly upbeat about President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's granting of pardon to convicted former President Joseph Estrada.
"It is the exclusive discretion of the President," Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno said in a text message to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro several minutes after news of the presidential pardon broke out.
Moreno, one of the congressmen, who figured in the impeachment proceedings against Estrada, is aligned with the administration Lakas-NUCD party along with Misamis Oriental First District Representative Danilo Lagbas.
Attempts by Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro to contact Cagayan de Oro Second District Representative and known Estrada ally Rufus Rodriguez for his side on this development were futile as of this writing Thursday.
Governor Moreno issued his statement after Lakas emeritus chairman and former President Fidel V. Ramos questioned the pardon, warning Mrs. Arroyo not to be "hasty" with her decision in a TV interview.
Previously, Cagayan de Oro Mayor Constantino Jaraula, Vice-Mayor Vicente Emano, and Cagayan Archdiocese Monsignor Rey Monsanto voiced their support for a presidential pardon on Estrada.
In a statement, Jaraula said President Arroyo's granting of an executive clemency for Estrada will send a positive impact to the Filipino nation to start the process of healing.
Still, civil society and militant leftist groups denounced plans to pardon Estrada, with Black and White Movement Cagayan de Oro chapter convener Antonio Soriano saying Estrada's move to seek a pardon is "an open admission of guilt."
For her part, Karapatan lawyer Beverly Musni said "a convicted thief" like Estrada cannot seek presidential pardon from Mrs. Arroyo, whom she accused of also "being a thief."
Earlier, former President Ramos said Arroyo should consider the sacrifices made by many people in pursuing and prosecuting the plunder charge against Estrada.
Ramos said Arroyo "should not lose sight of the national interest" and use her best judgment on request for pardon.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Senate President Manuel Villar, and Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. meanwhile have thrown their support behind the move to grant executive pardon to Estrada in an effort to unite the country and help the government in realizing its dream for economic recovery. (Stephen Capillas/With Sunnex)
