Political News: Arroyo pardons Erap

Malacañang on Thursday announced that President Arroyo has decided to hand down an executive clemency to former president Joseph Estrada.

Mrs. Arroyo’s decision came after former president Fidel Ramos advised her not to be “hasty” with the request for full pardon.

In view hereof and pursuant to the authority conferred upon me by the Constitution, I hereby grant executive clemency to Joseph Ejercito Estrada convicted by the Sandiganbayan of plunder and imposed a penalty of reclusion perpetua,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said as he read the President’s signed order.

(Read full text of the announcement here.)

The letter further stated that Estrada’s civil and political rights will be restored.

The order, however, said, “The forfeitures imposed by the Sandiganbayan remain in force and in full including all writs and processes issued by the Sandiganbayan in pursuant hereof except for the bank accounts he owned before his tenure as president.”

Rumors have been circulating that the former president may be granted pardon and released within the week from his rest house in Tanay, Rizal.

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan’s Special Division convicted Estrada for plunder charges on September 12. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Source: ABS-CBN NEWS