http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/24/yehey/top_stories/20070924top1.html
Monday, September 24, 2007
Free-Erap talks okayed
President open to unconditional pardon, says Apostol
President Gloria Arroyo has approved negotiations on a possible pardon
for her predecessor Joseph Estrada, GMA-7 reported Sunday.
In its website, GMA-7 cited a story from Associated Press quoting
Presidential Legal Adviser Sergio Apostol as saying that Mrs. Arroyo was open
to granting an unconditional pardon to Estrada, depending on the result of
talks between Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and the Estrada camp.
"Hopefully, if this pardon is granted, it will remove one cause of
political tensions," Apostol said.
In an interview with Agence France-Presse last week, Es-trada rejected
any deal with Mrs. Arroyo and said he would accept only "unconditional pardon"
without any admission of guilt, as his lawyers seek to reverse a court verdict
sentencing him to life in jail for corruption.
"The President is very sincere" in her offer, Apostol told reporters
Sunday, adding that Mrs. Arroyo hoped to see Estrada freed by Christmas.
Puno, who has been asked to negotiate with the Estrada camp, has also
indicated that December "would be the right time" to let Estrada out.
Apostol stressed that if an absolute pardon or amnesty would foster
reconciliation and calm political instability "then the President may grant
amnesty."
Estrada, 70, was earlier this month sentenced to life imprisonment for
massive corruption. He was found guilty of illegally building up a personal
fortune of more than $80 million through tax kickbacks and payoffs from
gambling operators.
The former action movie star was elected to the presidency in 1998. His
six-year term was cut short in 2001 by a military backed popular revolt.
Estrada earlier said he would appeal his conviction and called on all his
supporters to remain calm and follow the rule of law. He said he would not
accept a pardon if it meant admitting to the crime.
Security forces remain on alert to prevent any explosion of violence, as
Estrada supporters have vowed to stage more protests.
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