IF CONVICTED plunderer Joseph “Erap” Estrada succeeds in winning re-election to the presidency in the May 2010 elections, the Filipino people can blame President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former president Cory Aquino for this woeful occurrence, Arroyo for granting him an executive clemency on October 24, 2007 and Aquino for her public apology to him on December 22, 2008.
Estrada was convicted in September of 2007 for plunder after a six year trial which pitted career government prosecutors against a “Dream Team” of the best lawyers Estrada could hire. After extracting an oral promise from Estrada that he would never run for public office again, President Arroyo naively pardoned him one month before he was to begin serving a life sentence in Bilibid prison.
THE LOPEZ FACTOR
But perhaps more than the reports of unethical journalistic practices, it is De Castro’s Lopez connection that is the public’s unspoken fear. Long a fixture in Philippine politics and business, the Lopezes preside over an interlocking web of business interests that range from power generation to power distribution, telecommunications to water concessions, infrastructure, to broadcasting and publishing. Because of some of their companies’ histories, the Lopezes are perceived by many as having monopolistic tendencies and prone to ruthless business tactics.
Numerous focus-group discussions conducted by the TV industry show that the viewing public perceives the Lopezes to be using ABS-CBN to further their interests. The question many Filipinos have now is this: Would they likewise use de Castro for their own ends if and when he becomes president?
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Few adults in the Philippines believe their current president should stay in office after her term expires, according to a poll by Social Weather Stations. 64 per cent of respondents disagree with a “charter change” that will allow Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to still be the chief official of the country in the second half of 2010.
Arroyo took over as president in January 2001, following the resignation of Joseph Estrada. Arroyo won a six-year term in the June 2004 presidential election, garnering 39.99 per cent of all cast ballots. The next election is tentatively scheduled for June 2010. Arroyo is ineligible for a consecutive term in office.
Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: Although he’s a good man, I won’t vote for Noli de Castro as the next president. He is not an intellectual and will not make an efficient leader.
Edward Perdido, Ilocos Norte: Yes, I’m very convinced that he’ll be a good president since he is doing his appointed job with results. I think it’s enough basis and training for him to be the president.
