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Guilty

It’s guilty for plunder for Estrada.

Not guilty for perjury.

Jinggoy and Edward Serapio, not guilty.

Estrada’s statement given to NHK TV immediately after the conviction:

As expected this special court was created to convict me. My lawyers have warned me. But this was the only forum where I can tell the Filipino about my innocenece. So I took the gamble hioping there is rule of law here.

This is really a kangaroo court.

This is a political decision.

How do you think your supprters will take this?

I don’t know. What is important to me is, I have been acquitted by the people

If you wish to view and read the full text of the Decision of the Sandiganbayan Special Division in Criminal Case No. 26558 convicting former President Joseph Estrada of the crime of plunder, you may visit any of the following websites:

http://www.soriano-ph.com
http://sandigan.supremecourt.gov.ph
http://www.lawphil.net

Published inPolitics

256 Comments

  1. chi chi

    Well, it’s no longer news. Matagal na nilang nilalako na guilty for plunder si Erap. Pwede naman yatang itaas sa SC, di sige na!

    I saw Jinggoy and Serapio’s not guilty as a concession, the reason why Mongoloid Gonzales visited Erap in Tanay a couple of times.

    Matanda na si Erap, wala ng mawawala sa kanya. In fact, he’ll benefit more from the guilty verdict. His name will be forever remember as the most popular Philippine president declared guilty of plunder by Gloria, the most corrupt Philippine president (albeit fake).

  2. myrna myrna

    well, well, well…. what’s new.

    r.i.p to the justice system of pinas.

  3. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Erap’s Guilty verdict: It’s crap and political persecution. As expected, it’s unfair and mockery of justice.

  4. chi chi

    Sino naman kayang matinong tao ang maniniwala sa verdict ng hindiSandiganbayan…ni Gloria pala!

  5. But Sandiganbyan has no provision ofr Erap’s commitment to Muntinlupa, which is provision under the law. Takot sila dalhin si Erap sa Muntinlupa.

    Pinipilit nilang manatili si Erap sa Tanay.

  6. vonjovi2 vonjovi2

    Hindi na bago at noon pa nahatulan si ERAP. Kailangan ng kumilos ang mga tao dahil masyado ng malala ang sitwasyon ng bansa natin. Kailangan ng kalusin ang mga naka upo na puro magnanakaw. Nag hihintay na lang kami ng kilos protesta at mag EDSA tres ulit.

  7. Since Erap has been convicted with plunder, that means plunder also awaits Gloria Arroyo.

  8. chi chi

    Hahahaha! Kaduwag ng Sandigan, kaduwag ni Gloria!

    I would like to hear them commit Erap in Munti. Actually, I would like to see Erap in Munti, mas sisikat pa s’ya while Gloria will see her end!

    Bakit pa sila nagbigay ng guilty verdict ay hindi naman pala nila kayang panindigan. Puro lang sila palabas!

  9. chi chi

    Sige, tapos na si Erap, isunod na si Gloria!

  10. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    It’s not only plunder. This includes massive election fraud and crime against humanity after 2010.

  11. luzviminda luzviminda

    Naghahari na yata talaga ang kasamaan sa mundo, lalo na dito sa ating bayan. The devil is now in control. Dear God save us form evils!

  12. luzviminda luzviminda

    There is really no more justice in the Philippines. Wala ng aasahan hustisya lalo na sa pangkaraniwang mamamayan. The people should now act.

  13. florry florry

    Gloria made the decision not the justices, they only read it. Nagkaroon na naman siya ng mga bagong utang na dapat bayaran, so expect some promotions or some sort of payback for these justices.

  14. chi chi

    Gov’t confiscates $87M from Erap.

    Sus, malaking di hamak ang isang deal lang ni Gloria sa
    ZTE para kay Abalos ay $55M at kay Big and Little Ones ay $75M.

  15. chi chi

    Tatlo na ang kangaroo courts:

    1) Asspweron’s kangaroo court

    2) Sandiganbayan

    3) Pimentel’s Makati court

    Dagdagan ninyo kung meron pa.

  16. myrna myrna

    after a long wait, at last, i was able to access daily tribune.

    sabi ni miriam siraulo, sandigan cannot convict erap for plunder. o, nagdilang anghel ba siya? hay naku. heto na ang mga kampon ng kadiliman.

    well, erap was expecting that verdict, otherwise, how could he record that audio beforehand. at least, alam ng majority ng pinoy kung bakit nagkakandahirap sila (sorry, hindi ko pwedeng isali sarili ko dahil wala ako sa pinas), ay dahil sa mga politicians na gaya ni miriam sipsip at ubod ng gahamang si gloria.

    wala na ba talagang pag-asa sa pinas? balak ko pa namang mag stay ng medyo matagal pag uwi ko sa december.

  17. maarte maarte

    PUTANG INA NILA !

  18. Black and White Movement:

    We respect the decision of the Sandiganbayan in regard to the plunder case against former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

    We presume the court arrived at its decision after careful evaluation of evidence presented during the trial.

    The Black & White Movement, however, laments the selective application of justice – expedient and with a heavy hand for those perceived to be enemies of the GMA regime, while slow and protective toward those allied with her.

    What is the difference between Jose Velarde and Jose Pidal?

    Why has this government not pursued the cases against Nani Perez, Joc-Joc Bolante, Virgilio Garcillano, and more recently, Benjamin Abalos’ alleged complicity in the ZTE deal? Instead of pursuing these cases, this administration has stonewalled through gag orders such as the illegal EO 464 and questionable MO 108.

    This reflects the sad state of our justice system where political patronage is the rule of the day. Those out of favor with the powers that be are prosecuted while those in the inner circle are beyond the reach of the long arm of the law. As former President “Erap” himself has put it… “weather-weather lang.”

    We can only hope that when the political winds change direction, those who are currently in the circle of power, who are allegedly involved in crimes more sinister and heinous than Erap’s plunder, will have their day in court.

  19. From Bayan:

    The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan, New Patriotic Alliance), one of the complainants in the plunder case against former President Joseph Estrada, accepts the decision of the Sandiganbayan convicting the former president of the crime of plunder.

    The verdict offers a small measure of justice and is acceptable insofar as it points out the wrongdoings of the former president.

    Let the Estrada verdict serve as a stern warning against the current occupants of Malacañang who may end up with the same fate because their crimes are far, far worse than the ones Estrada was convicted of.

    The significance of the Estrada verdict would be greatly diminished if the same standards of justice do not apply to the officials of the Arroyo government. The president and her close associates have been accused of systematic corruption on a far bigger scale than Estrada. We hope that the Estrada verdict will set a legal precedent that may be useful if ever Arroyo is prosecuted in similar cases of plunder, corruption and perjury.

    The crisis hounding the Arroyo presidency will not simply go away with the fact that Estrada was convicted by the Sandiganbayan. The paranoia and insecurity exhibited by the Arroyo regime before the promulgation of the verdict stems from a deep political crisis that is the result of the Arroyo regime’s lack of legitimacy and gross corruption. This crisis will continue since the people want Arroyo to be held accountable as well.

  20. maarte maarte

    Both Black & White (Civil Society) and Bayan were among the participants in Edsa Two ousting Erap. Expectedly, they accepted the verdict. Why don’t they now conspire with other groups to oust Arroyo this time? Where’s Cory Aquino and the Catholic Church? Isang tambak kayong mga ipokrito ! Revolution na !

  21. emrjay emrjay

    Yeah! i agree with maarte. Just ignore whatever they (Black and White and Bayan)said. Hypocrites!!!!

  22. Jadenlou Jadenlou

    Plunder is punishable by death. There you go evil society. Rejoice!

  23. chi chi

    Ako rin, same opinion here about Black and White Movement and Bayan. In fact, sila ang rason kung bakit ang Pinas ay nagkakaganito na niloloko lang ni Gloria.

    Personally, I don’t expect more from them. They installed Gloria, they deserve Gloria!

    Tama na ang mga press releases ninyo. Don’t justify anything dahil malaki ang kasalanan ninyo sa bayan for subverting the Constitution!

  24. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee should not leave no stones unturned to pin down Gloria Arroyo and Benjamin Abalos in the greatest broadband heist. China’s ZTE Corp. is known for under the table deals to win contracts. The mockery of justice is all over the in our rotten criminal justice system. It’s not only in the courthouses, it’s also happening in the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice, the JAGO , the police and other law enforcement agencies. The Arroyo regime exploited these offices/institutions to persecute political enemies and covering crimes committed.

  25. Jadenlou Jadenlou

    I’m sure Estrada will face his convictiobn with dignity. Nakahanda na yang mamatay dahil nagawa na yata yung libingan niya doon sa kanyang museum. I saw it on TV, it is very nice. Hindi na yan matatakot mamatay. And I am sure also that gloria will live forever with her guilt in her mind and soul. Darating din ang panahon niya. The law of karma will prevail.

  26. chi chi

    Jadenlou,

    Plunder is punishable by death. Bakit life imprisonment lang ang punishment kay Erap? Nagdesisyon na rin lang ay mga bahag ang buntot na itama ang kaparusahan. Ang laking takot ninyo kay Erap!

  27. Marine wife Marine wife

    I got the following text messages last night… the text messages from a soldier to another soldier (TOP) which were forwarded to us…

    Kahit sabihin you kay bosing you Top wag lang name me ha.. Wala rin me sang ayon dito sa ginagawa nila. Kahit mga officer dito parang TANGA walang paninindigan kasi sunod sunod nalang…

    Pag may State of Emergency na, hawak na niya lahat lalong mapasama si Trillanes. Last July pa ang plano nila i-guilty talaga c Pres ERAP in any case kahit NOT GUILTY SIYA.

    Ganito yun TOP, sa PMAR manggagaling ang planning thru COL down kunwari walang alam ang mga GEN pag pumutok na di sila kasama pero pag magmaterialize sama sila, yon ang di alam ng iba. Ginawa yon ni PGMA kasi masmadami ang opposisyon.

    May lumapit na sa marines TOP last August pa. Nagbigay ng pondo na gagamitin re.. plan ni PGMA.. Officer lang ang may alam kaya pati dito sa amin napansin me hindi sila interesado sa issue ng destabilization kasi alam na nila…

    Hawak ng government ang nakaupo sa PMAR (Philippine Marines) ngayon. Ang plano ng government i-sacrifice si CPMC (Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps) para magkaroon ng State of Emergency. Patay si Trillanes pati yung iba. Hindi alam ng kabila pero pagsumakay sila, wala na…

    Yung balita na destabilization ngayon TOP, kagagawan ng gobyerno para lalong idiin ang mga nakakulong na yan lalo kay Trillanes. Ang assessment me incase (may mangyari) kung saan malakas doon sila.

  28. chi chi

    Makatulog muna at pinainit ng Black and White at Bayan ang ulo ko!

    Sige, kumilos naman kayo ngayon para tanggalin si Gloria kung kaya ninyo!

  29. Jadenlou Jadenlou

    Chi,
    Life imprisonment lang ang hatol nila dahil may niluluto pa ang mga yan. Siguradong magbibigay si gloria ng clemency/pardon kay Erap para bumango siya sa tao but I doubt it. She will live her life forever na kinasusuklaman ng karamihang Pinoy hindi lang sa bansa but all over the world.

  30. Jadenlou Jadenlou

    Marine Wife,
    What’s happening to our soldiers? Parang sunod-sunuran na lang sila sa mga kalokohan ng gobiernong ito. Hindi ko maubos maisip kung nasaan na ang kanilang pagmamahal sa kanilang katungkulan bilang mga alagad ng batas.

  31. chi chi

    Marine wife,

    I believe that our ‘men of honor’ are prepared for any eventualities. Kung pwede talaga ay ipapapatay sila lahat ni Gloria!

  32. chi chi

    Jadenlou,

    Simulan na ni Gloria kung anuman ang niluluto niya at nang madaling matapos ang eksena!

  33. cocoy cocoy

    Since Erap has been convicted with plunder, that means plunder also awaits Gloria Arroyo. You are right Ellen and I’ll wait for that time to come. But, who will demolish them? None of these big mouth legislatures will….. except for Jinggoy. He is the only person who can completely demolished them and not one stone will be left on top of another.”law of retaliation” to avenge injustice to his father.

    The conviction of Erap only proves one thing, His followers simply does not have the will, resources, patience, care, or ability to fight an evil empire, They only talk but could not walk!, and then cursing Bush and his people for not doing what is good for them, shouting to the world, that the emperor is naked. Yet, they’re steadfastly waiting for a miracles to happen without realizing that the fake president borrows million to billion dollars a day to keep her government afloat! They are not becoming alarmed by the drain on the treasury and the left and right corruption which their children’s grandchildren will be paying for it.

    I seconded DinaPinoy comment that he was glad that he was able to bring his children in America, His children was no longer in the rooster for the Philippine debt consolidation in foreign banks. In addition to these points, also consider the fact that Pinoy has been brainwashed by Pandakikay’s media mind control apparatus, to expect instant results and to be so uncritical and myopic that they can’t see the forest for the trees, they are ahistorical, meaning they lack an appreciation or understanding of both Edsa I and Edsa II and the assassination of Ninoy in history. Given that reality they never see that the evil empire of Gloria is eventually suffer to collapse and all Erap’s supporters walks away from the Leaning Tower Of Pizza. Bin Laden supporters destroyed the Twin Tower and why Erap loyalist can’t destroy Malacanang and let their leader Demonized by the Evil.—To Erap Loyalist, are you all real or just pretending?–Wake up and March!

  34. alexxx alexxx

    Iba na ang mga sundalo ngayon. Kung dati ang tingin natin sa kanila ay puno ng dangal, matapang at may paninindigan, ngayon sila ay mga bayaran at walang bayag. Ang masama pa lahat ng matinong sundalo nakakulong na.

    Para naman dyan sa BAYAN, talagang makakaliwa yang mga lintik na yan. Ang misyon sa buhay ay manggulo at kalabanin ang nasa pwesto. Isa pala kayo sa nagsampa ng kaso kay Erap kaya isa rin kayo sa may kasalanan kung bakit nakaupo si Satanas este si Arrovo. Tumahimik na lang kayo at bumalik kayo sa bundok. Wala kayong puwang sa society. Isusunod na rin kayo ni Arrovo.

    Marami pa akong gusto sabihin pero ibuuod ko na lang sa isang sentence. Dahil sa wala ng pag-asa ang pilipinas, ang masasabi ko na lang ay “Goodluck” sa inyong lahat mga kababayan. Pinili ninyong manahimik kung kailan kailngan nyong kumilos. Sana ay magkasya kayo sa hukay na paglalagyan sa inyo ni Arrovo.

  35. martina martina

    Ang masasabi ko lang – ang kakapal ng mukha nitong mga justices na ito. Wala ba silang sariling katinuan. Ano ba sila mga sickos. Beyond reasonable doubt daw, e hindi nagkasya ang pera duon sa dimension ng box na sinabi ni Sabit. Kung plunderer si Erap, itong mga justices ay mga panderer.

  36. alexxx alexxx

    Payo lang sa inyo mga kabayan, mag-migrate na kayo sa ibang bansa. Magkita-kita tayo dito at ituloy natin ang ligaya. Wala ng pag-asa sa pinas! Tutal binubugaw na rin lang kayo ng gobyerno nyo kaya magkusa na kayong umalis. Sa abroad makikita nyo ang pinupuntahan ng buwis na kinakaltas ng gbyerno… di gaya dyan na binubulsa lang ng mga buwaya na magnanakaw.

  37. Golberg Golberg

    Judgement has been done but without justice.
    We are all next. And that day is near. I wonder if those who made all the lies to punish someone would be able to justify himself before the Most High Tribunal?
    Justice is dead, since the people with power we have around does not have principles at all. Or if they have, it is being sold because it is for sale.
    The demon is everywhere we go. And he succeeded in his mission to snatch the souls of men.
    May God have mercy upon our souls!

  38. maarte maarte

    Kaya ako mura ng mura dito sa sama ng loob. Do you know that Miriam Santiago now says Erap should not be convicted? Gaga!
    Nasaan siya noong trial? Not even once did we hear her say favorably of Erap since she jumped to the administration side.
    Now that the verdict is out, she’s playing nice to the Erap camp. Ayaw kasi niya madamay kapag magalit ang mga tao at magkagulo.

  39. martina martina

    Hindi ba alam nitong mga just-tiis na ito na if the money did not fit, then acquit?

  40. alexxx alexxx

    Eh mga bayaran nga eh Martina. Sa tamang halaga pwedeng baluktutin ang batas….meron nga ba? Lamang lang ng konti ang pilipinas sa pakistan at haiti dahil naka-levis at nakakakain sa mcdo at naka-cel ang mga tao kahit galing sa nakaw. Pero kung ikukumpara ang gobyerno at mentalidad ng mga tao mas masahol pa ang pinas. nakakatakot na dyan! ayaw ko na umuwi dyan…nakakasuka talaga!

  41. martina martina

    Ang statement ni Brenda ay part ng strategy, to soften the impact.

  42. I like Erap’s reply. The verdict given by the unano’s court is not important. Everybody expected that from day one he was removed from Malacanang, or rather he left the palace via the Pasig River, and it was just a matter of a zarsuela of what was in store for him by the administration of a criminal trying hard to make another criminal of him.

    The Filipino people has acquitted him for plunder, no doubt because there was actually nothing to plunder when he became president. But the poor fellow tried hard to keep his election promises to the needy who bunked on him for their survival and subsistence.

    Now, we’ll see what they will do when Erap is sent to Muntinlupa after of course any appeal to the highest court of the land fail to get a fair judgment. Siguro naman magkakalakas na sila ng loob na lumaban na!

    The creep should be removed by all means.

  43. Ellen: Since Erap has been convicted with plunder, that means plunder also awaits Gloria Arroyo.

    *****

    As they say in Tagalog, Ellen, magdilang anghel ka sana. Problem is the verdict was more a stage show concocted by the squatters at the palace by the murky river. Until the unano is convicted, too, together with her husband, et al, no bilib ako sa justice system ng Pilipinas! Just-tiis more like it.

    Ngayon, tignan natin kung hanggang saan ang pagmamahal ng mga supporters ni Erap sa kaniya. I don’t go for this plunder for I doubt na may nanakaw siya. Kahit nga iyong inutang sa Korea, ang nakinabang iyong unano, et al, hindi naman siya.

    Bribery, OK pa. Masama kasi iyong tumatanggap siya ng jueteng money para makalusot iyong mga nagba-bribe sa kaniya. Iyan ang kasalanan niya.

    Meanwhile, I’m glad for Atty. Serapio. Buti naman nakalusot siya. Now, I suggest that he sue the Philippine government for wrongfully accusing, arresting and confining him without due process of law. Ang laking perhuwisyo sa kaniya ang ginawa nila. Dapat lang magbayad ang gobyerno ni Pandak sa kaniya.

  44. rose rose

    Sino ba ang tatlong walang hiya na nagbigay ng decision na ito? We should all wear black to mourn the death of justice..yon Death of Justice Secretary..buhay pa ba? Nakakasiraulo talaga ang justice system natin..ang dapat buhay ay pinatay at ang dapat patay na ay buhay pa hanggang ngayon.

  45. Rose:

    Ako pirming nakaluksa, not that my aunt has died. Ganyan din ang sentiments ko katulad sa iyo. Matagal nang patay ang hustisya sa Pilipinas. Naghihintay na lang tayo ng pagre-resurrect ng truth and justice there. Pihadong si Trillanes ang sagot. Kaso iyong unjust na hustisya daw ayaw siyang palabasin. Sinasayang ang panahon niya at pinapatay ang pag-asa ng sambayanang pilipino.

    Nakakai-Yuck talaga!

  46. Tilamsik Tilamsik

    What makes the difference? Asiong in rest house! The vampire in Palace still drinking blood!

  47. rose rose

    Surgical surgery is what has to be done. Isn’t it that when one part of your body (say your arms or leg) is full of gangrene it is amputated? Hindi ba pag maynabubulok na sanga ng kahoy ay pinuputol? Our gov’t under this peke ay punong puno ng lason..dapat putulin na ang ulo at ang pasimula. Honesty is no longer the best policy. cheating is a way of life..stealing is ok..lying is ok..killing is ok..ito ba ang itinuro sa escuelahan sa atin? The silence of the catholic church is loud..they simply don’t give a damn to the poor…gloria is God…money is god the silence of all the other leaders of other religion means, they too don’t give a damn..what did the Filipino people do to be so damned..It is beyond me to understand all these..beyond me to understand what the catholic priest, bishops, cardinals teaches now..

  48. rose rose

    Am I happy to be out of the country? Not the least bit..gusto ko pang umuwi..pero kung ganito ang daratnan ko..seguro ang ashes ko na lang ang makauwi..at doon sa Himlayan sa Tandang Sora ang punta…

  49. rose rose

    Yuko: Tama ka there is still the resurrection of the truth. In the charism of St. Francis..”it is in dying that we are born again.” and for christians we believe on the third day ..resurrection will come. a new Phil will rise
    ..hindi ba resurrection is hope?

  50. cocoy cocoy

    rose;
    “Balikbayan Boycott”

  51. jojovelas2005 jojovelas2005

    kawawa talaga si Erap guilty na ang verdict tapos kawawa pa sa mga tv program…maging silbi daw siya sa mga gov’t official…kalokohan yan si Nanny di ba plunder din?

    Nag cheer daw yun mga tao sa stock market…of course, sila yun nagpatalsik kay erap kaya masaya sila.

  52. cocoy cocoy

    rose;
    God has already gave miracle in our country during Edsa I.
    Edsa II the devil gave miracle to Cardinal Sin.
    God is not a Genie that granted 3 wishes.
    God will be pissed if people ask him their needs all the time,That was also the reason that God gave us Brains and God gave us freedom to use it according to our will,whether in good or bad.
    God will not hear prayer and gave everything if people will not move their asses.

    I cite you an story about 2 farmers.
    Farmer John is an early riser and he goes directly to the lake to catch fish that early and he don’t ask God to gave him fish but,he is thankful to God because he gave him two hands.

    Farmer Ben is an early riser too and he goes directly to his altar that early to ask God to give him fish but,he don’t go to the lake to fish and he is also thankful to God that give him two hands.

    Comparing the story between two farmers,my question,Who got fish? In short the freedom and justice that Filipino people are wishing for;God will not give it to them through prayers but,the people need to go to work to get it.

    Pagalitan pa sila ng Diyos.Kung mahirap sila ay kasalanan na nila dahil ayaw nilang magtrabaho.Kahit na nga magulang nila ay palalayasin sila sa bahay kung kain tulog lang.

  53. jojovelas2005 jojovelas2005

    Ang pinakamalungkot sa lahat ay ang pangako niya sa kanyang magulang na lilinisin na ang kanyang pangalan habang ito ay nabubuhay…

  54. Allow me this time to disagree with most of the sentiments here. Though incomplete, the guilty verdict is as justified as it is beneficial to those who are, deep in their hearts, looking forward to Aling Gloria finally having her day in court. My points:

    – That Erap will be convicted is already a “given”, and a quick look at the evidences so far presented during the aborted impeachment trial are convincing enough, at least from my personal view. This led to EDSA Dos. The injustice lies in Erap being convicted ALONE and as PRINCIPAL. Was it fair to let Chavit off the hook just because he sang his song?

    – Erap’s conviction may have served to justify the Power Grab following EDSA Dos, but, it also sets a precedent for the next “head of State”. Ms Tordesillas is correct- it is so for Erap, it will be so for Aling Gloria. What people should be wary about are moves by Aling Gloria to A) perpetuate herself in power, and B) repeal the Anti-Plunder Law before her time is up.

    – Had Erap been acquitted, it would have served only one good purpose: putting Aling Gloria’s legitimacy under the cloud of very serious doubt. But, hey. Isn’t “Hello Garci” doing that? However, an acquittal may have served only to fan the fires of greed within the hearts of the powers that be. We’ll see if, after the guilty verdict, kung itutuloy pa rin nila ang walang habas na pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan. The Anti-Plunder Law has already been the sword of Damocles hanging over Aling Gloria’s neck. With Erap’s guilty verdict, that sword has become heavier. WIth the current labulabo over the ZTE-NBN deal, the strand of hair suspending the sword is getting thinner.

    – Crime must be punished regardless of who the criminal is. I may hate Aling Gloria, but that should not change my views on crime and punishment just because it is her nemesis who is on the receiving end of the punishment. Aling Gloria’s time will come. With what’s happening now, I sense, her time will be up sooner that we think.

  55. Jojovelas,

    Sure they have given Erap a verdict but everyone knows there was no truth proven of the charges of plunder against him except perhaps the fact that he has accepted contribution from Chavit Singson to his Moslem foundation that Atty. Serapio was supervising. In short, if Atty Serapio is acquitted, Erap should be acquitted. Parang one plus one iyan equals two and can never be three.

    Anyway, his case should be appealed to the highest court even just for the sake of formality as the kangaroo court that has tried him has been.

    Sa totoo lang, nakakasuka! Frankly, I see Erap’s case more as a case of bribery than plunder like what the unano has been committing against the people of the Philippines. Her declaring herself as queen of EK does not make her free to squander public funds, especially those duly paid for by OFWs for instance. Pag hinuli si unano and given the same verdict as that of Erap’s, then we know justice is back. Otherwise, it is only just-tiis.

  56. jojovelas2005 jojovelas2005

    totoo ba ito?

    Palace: Erap to be holed up in Muntinlupa, eventually
    Former President Joseph Estrada would be transferred eventually to the National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City once his lawyers elevate his plunder case to the Supreme Court, Sergio Apostol, chief presidential legal counsel, told dzMM radio on Wednesday.

    Apostol said Sandiganbayan would lose its jurisdiction over Estrada once the convicted leader appeals the antigraft’s decision to the high court. Once this happens, Apostol said Estrada would be holed up in Muntinlupa where the country’s most dangerous criminals are imprisoned.

    The ousted leader was allowed to go back to his vacation estate in Tanay, Rizal after the Sandiganbayan read the verdict on Estrada’s case. He stayed in his Tanay villa under house arrest since July 13, 2004.

    Meanwhile, dzMM quoted Romulo Makalintal, another Palace legal counsel, as saying that Sandigabayan’s guilty verdict on Estrada proved that the country’s criminal justice system was effective because it worked even against the country’s highest public official.

    The same report said Malacañang would respect Estrada’s decision of seeking other legal remedies on his case. Estrada lawyers earlier said they would determine whether they would file a motion for reconsideration at the Sandiganbayan decision or appeal before the Supreme Court.

    Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reportedly called off her 1:30 p.m. economic briefing at the Rizal Ballroom in Sharingla Hotel, in Makati City. – GMANews.TV

  57. No, Ka Enchong, it is not the point that Erap was convicted that I, for one, is going against re this judgment against Erap that we all in fact expected would happen from day one he was removed from Malacanang.

    I see injustice here because they have actually not proven that what he did was plunder for there was no public funds squandered. Contributions or money taken from jueteng are illegal and cannot be considered public funds. That I agree Estrada is guilty about. He, himself, has admitted receiving donations from Chavit Singson, who should have been charged likewise as accomplice if not mastermind in this bribery case. There should have been no plea bargaining if they really want these crooks to have their lessons.

    Puro palabas lang sa totoo lang. I’m not impressed, and with a court dominated by Pidal cronies, what can you expect? In short, we’re seething inside not because of Erap but because justice is dead in the Philippines, and truth cannot prevail. Iyan ang dapat na binabatikos at pinoprotesta.

    Problema kasi, sobra ang daming nagdudunung-dunungan doon, kamote naman. Puro palusot lang ang inaatupag! Ngayon at least alam na niya kung anong klaseng mga ungas ang mga naging kaibigan niya sa politika.

  58. Sorry, this should read, “I, for one, am going against re this judgment against Erap….” I have this automatic checker that must be Japlish! 😛

  59. Wow, iyong mga paranoid kung anu-ano na naman ang kinakalat na mga kabulastugan!

    Ordinarily, a man convicted of a crime usually gets a recess of 2 weeks or more to give him time to decided on whether or not to appeal his case for which reason he remains as an accused, and cannot be put in prison yet.

    Dapat ang news sa Pilipinas is whether or not he will appeal. At saka ano ang gagawin ng mga supporters niya?

    Ang bobo naman!

  60. Chabeli Chabeli

    After the Guilty verdict has been handed down to the former President, let us also turn our focus on those who also deserve the same verdict. Although Gloria is already a given, we could start with those involved in the recent ZTE Broadband deal.

  61. Chabeli:

    It will be wishful thinking to expect something similar to the verdict given Estrada happening to the unano. No dice! Not definitely until Filipinos can manage to remove Esperon, et al who are definitely giving the Tariray their protection and support for their own survival, and most of all a revamp if not abolition of the present justice department and corrupted system.

    No need to wait for Uncle Sam to answer to their distress call, not right now that the Americans have their own serious problems with their own president! Puede naman silang kumilos kung gusto nila. They have done it before as when the KKK rebelled against Spain, or the guerrillas formed to fight the Japanese when they were left fending or themselves. They can do it again as a matter of fact, huwag lang silang pangunahan ng mga duwag!

    Sabi ni Rose, tatlong demonyo daw iyong nagbigay ng verdict kay Erap, but I say there are more than three demonyo or devil’s advocates sitting in the present kangaroo court of the Philippines now. No credibility as a matter of fact. Kawawang bansa!

  62. Sabi nga ni Tongue, mga katulad lang ni Joey Marquez ang nasisintesyahan! Either walang pera o ayaw maglagay!!!

  63. Elvira Sahara Elvira Sahara

    Round 1 lang daw ‘yong verdict ni Erap. Ang lagay, how many rounds pa ba? Sana, sa round 2…ang the biggest at talagang guilty of them all…diyan pa ngayon nakaupo illegally sa Malakanyang!
    Let’s keep the Hello Garci and the ZTE Broadband deal moving!

  64. Mrivera Mrivera

    “….Romulo Makalintal, another Palace legal counsel, as saying that Sandigabayan’s guilty verdict on Estrada proved that the country’s criminal justice system was effective because it worked even against the country’s highest public official.”

    tangina ang tunay na kriminal ang araw gabi nilang kasama!

    palibhasa ay pareparehong mga timawa silang walang habas sa panunulisan sa kaban ng bayan at parang mga buwitreng walang pagkasawa sa paninila ng makakatighaw sa kanilang kasibaan kaya ganyang pwalang anuman kung paano nila bastusin ang batas!

    mga demonyo!

  65. “No, Ka Enchong, it is not the point that Erap was convicted that I, for one, is going against re this judgment against Erap that we all in fact expected would happen from day one he was removed from Malacanang.”

    ALing Yuko,

    Conviction per se does not mean injustice. The devil, as the old saying goes, lied in the details. I agree that the prosecution, given a strong case, failed to prove their cause beyond reasonable doubt. The whole process really looked more of a zarzuela than anything else. Their case could have been more solid, and the eventual conviction more credible, if Erap was tried as an accessory rather than a principal. Chavit deserves the sentence more than Erap- and where is Chavit now? A free man?

    Now, it would be suicide for Aling Gloria to send Erap to Muntinlupa. The image that launched “Edsa Tres” was that of Erap being photographed (mug shots) as an ordinary crime suspect. Hauling him to Muntinlupa would create another image with an impact several times more potent than the mug shots.

  66. But, Ka Enchong, wrong conviction/judgment is already injustice per se. It cannot be otherwise.

    Suicide? Nope, the unano does not have the guts to do that. Otherwise, she would have done it long before. The point is she is overconfident that no matter what she does, Filipinos cannot do anything to oppose her. She has prove it a lot of times, and no thanks to these evil men helping her even in that august hall of what is supposed to be the department of justice a lot many of whom were men she and her husband had planned to place there for their cooperation in the power grab of 2001.

    I agree to that—that this trial of Estrada and conviction are nothing but part of a Zarzuela, or better still, a moro-moro!

  67. Magno,

    Iyan Makalintal na iyan ay kaaway din ng mga OFW. Siya iyong nagpapahirap ng implementation ng OAV Law for better participation by the OFWs in the electoral procedure. Kaaway iyan ng mga taumbayan. Anything that comes out from the mouth of this kabalen is poison as a matter of fact!

  68. Valdemar Valdemar

    Erap, I think is not guilty of plunder. Its more of a blunder.

  69. parasabayan parasabayan

    Erap had to be convicted otherwise the tiyanak is an illegal president. Pag retire ng dalawang Supreme Court Justices, sigurado na ang puwesto ng dalawang Sandigan Bayan justices na nag-convict kay Erap. Ganito ang reward system ni tiyanak-to sumunod ka lang sa kanya, may magandang pwesto ka aat marami ka pang pera. She has mastered her reward system. Be a villain and you get more points.

    Alam naman ng lahat na niluto ni tiyanak itong verdict ni Erap. The law has to be applied to all. Although it may hurt us all to see Erap convicted by someone who is a thousand times more rotten than him, tiyanak will be tried and convicted by the same law. Hopefully, Erap will eventually be vindicated when the tiyanak in in a real jail-not just her rest house!

  70. DinaPinoy DinaPinoy

    mula sa L.A. Times:

    Estrada, a notorious playboy, lived the high life during the trial, holding parties at his “rest house,” a luxurious vacation home two hours from Manila equipped with a theater, gym and library, according to media reports. The court said Estrada could continue to live in his vacation home “until further notice” and requested he agree “voluntarily in writing to abide by the same disciplinary rules imposed upon convicted prisoners.”

  71. parasabayan parasabayan

    Yuko, Abe is resigning. Ganyan ang tunay na nagmamalasakit sa bansa niya. Kung wala na siyang magandang magawa para sa tao, mag-resign na lang. This is why Japan is one of the greatest countries in the world! Marunong mahiya ang mga leaders ninyo. Unlike the tiyanak, sobra sobra na ang kasalanan niya sa bansa ay ipinagpipilitan pa rin niya ang sarili niya. Sobrang kapal talaga!

  72. norpil norpil

    i agree with ka enchong’s analysis on erap judgement.still, comparing gma and erap, there are mitigating circumstances in his favor. at least his money is intact in the pinas and can be use by the people if properly returned to the people.gmas plunder will probably never be returned to pinas…. i like cocoy’s story of two farmers who both prayed. still there are people who get what they want without prayer but by working hard.
    to dinapinoy: i wonder who wrote the story at l.a.times and if there is truth in it.

  73. “But, Ka Enchong, wrong conviction/judgment is already injustice per se. It cannot be otherwise.”

    Aling Yuko,

    Guilty for plunder- Sang-ayon po ako na hindi makatarungan ito, especially so because the conviction is anchored on shaky grounds. If Erap is guilty, he is probably guilty of “blunder” as Valdemar puts it. I would say, he’s more guilty of influence peddling than anything else. Though, this is not to say that Erap is clean. He had his mistakes, and he ought to be punished for them.

    If we compare Erap to Aling Gloria, Erap may appear to be a saint. But the “saint” sinned, too. The whole tragedy lies in having Erap convicted by an administration several hundred times dirtier than Erap’s. Sabi nga ni Kuya Kim, weather-weather lang ‘yan.

    Let Aling Gloria haul Erap to Bilibid. It would be like voluntarily walking herself to the guillotine.

    AS to Chavit, kakagigil yung sinabi niyang hindi raw kumpleto ang hustisya dahil sa Tanay lang ikukulong si Erap. Siya dapat ang makulong.

    PS- I am glad that we are “talking” now, hehehe.

  74. I agree with Ka Enchong:

    “Their case could have been more solid, and the eventual conviction more credible, if Erap was tried as an accessory rather than a principal. Chavit deserves the sentence more than Erap”

  75. cocoy cocoy

    Ka Enchong;— Any person who participated with said public officer in the commission of an offense contributing to the crime of Plunder shall likewise be punished for such offense.

    Singson was an accomplished to this crime, the reason that he was not in the charged list, he turned State witness to the prosecution and made a bargain, so his crime was exonerated, and that’s how the court works.

    The court are not looking if Erap was an angel or a devil, they have some court proceedings to follow. They based decisions on the merit of evidences and on the collaboration of witnesses. The prosecution has presented more than enough evidence to convict him. His defense lawyer wasn’t able to demolished the statements of the witnesses and flatten the presented evidence to the ground.Erap took the witness stand,most of his statements constituting hearsay evidence and bare denials unsupported by any documentary proof,his
    defense lawyers only presented newspaper articles and publications which does not have any probative value for being hearsay.His lawyers failed to prove their case that Erap is not guilty.I agree with the court decision without offending any Erap fanatics and that’s my opinion.

  76. jojovelas2005 jojovelas2005

    Konti lang ang nag rally so next step ng government is to put now Estrada in Muntinlupa…then will see kung talagang may followers pa si Estrada. Dapat siguro ma i-define ng mabuti ang plunder kasi based doon sa decision mukhang walang gov’t funds (jueteng at belo (Vicky belo ba yun?).
    Remember, they are the lawmakers dapat tignan ulit nila yun law at sila din ang makakapagsabi kung ang case ba ni erap plunder,corrupt practices or casualty of edsa 2.

  77. No conflict when it comes to Gloria, and even Erap, Ka Enchong. Ako pa, who has been used to judicial procedure in Japan where plea bargaining is not honored and practiced. Kung may kasalanan, walang puedeng makaligtas.

    I have no intention of freeing Erap for any possible crime he must have committed himself. In short no palusot. Malinaw naman iyong bribery case in connivance with Chavit Singson, who wants to have a monopoly in fact of the jueteng business, which is illegal and therefore, it is not right for Erap to be financing his foundations with money earned from such dirty games.

    Iyong plunder ang sinasabi kong injustice, and so do a lot many of us bloggers here. There should be no favoritism. Lahat ng kriminal dapat makulong!!!

  78. PSB: Yuko, Abe is resigning. Ganyan ang tunay na nagmamalasakit sa bansa niya.

    *****
    Iba naman klase si Abe, PSB. He comes from a family of statesman. Hindi dugong-aso! At saka may hiya ang taong ito. Hindi makapal ang mukha. Graduate ng USC, hindi katulad ni unano na kumuha lang ng ilang units sa Georgetown wala pa yatang credit, ibinabalandra na!

    In short, may class! Si unano wala. Taratitat lang!

  79. OK din ang practice dito, PSB. Nagpapakamatay iyong mahina ang sikmurang masabon ng taumbayan. Good riddance ang labas! Mas mabilis mawalis ang mga walang kuwenta. Sa Pilipinas, pataasan pa ng ihi kahit na bulgar na bulgar na ang mga kabulastugan!

    My sympathy to all! Kawawang bansa!

  80. Kaya pala hindi ma-approve ang request ni unano na bumisita sa Japan. Magulo ang politika dito ngayon dahil sa low rating ng LDP. Kaya no visitor allowed! Buti naman kundi matutuloy si unano dito. Malaking gastos iyan sa taxpayers na pilipino na dagdag pa ang mga uutangin ni unano na additional burden sa kanila. Iyan ang plunder! Lalo na iyong mga inutang tuloy-tuloy sa bulsa nila.

  81. lca lca

    hayyy salamat ‘ tunay na ngaun ay alam na natin na ang hustisya sa ating bansa ay para lamang sa mga alagad ng malakanyang’kapag ikaw ay labas sa tropa ng mga demonyo’ e wla kang maasahang katarungan, tignan nalang natin si bolante’ nani perez atb…may gumagalaw ba sa kanila? wla’ ka diyan natin makikita ang tunay na demokrasya na tinatag ng mga demonyo’ sa pangunguna ni sin’ ano na ang inani natin eto kamote’ kawawa taong bayan. kawawa ang pilipino’ Panginoon Hesus’ikaw nalamang ang aming pag asa, upang maayos ang aming bansa amen.

  82. DinaPinoy DinaPinoy

    isa pang kwento tungkol sa pagdadasal sa Diyos:

    araw at gabi ay umuulan sa isang bayan ng walang tigil hanggang sa bumaha at umabot ang taas ng tubig sa bintana ng unang palapag ng bahay. Ayaw iwanan ni pedro ang kanyang bahay kaya siya ay nagdasal sa Diyos na siya ay tulungan at sana ay tumigil na ang ulan. pagkatapos ng kanyang dasal ay may tumawag sa kanya na nakasakay sa bangka at hinikayat siyang sumakay para lumikas. ang sagot niya ay maghihintay siyang tumigil ang ulan at tutulungan siya ng Diyos. hindi tumigil ang ulan at umabot na sa bubong ng bahay ang baha. nasa itaas na ng bubong si pedro ng may dumaan ulit na namamangka at pinilit siya na sumakay na. iginiit pa rin niya na tutulungan siya ng Diyos. hindi tumigil ang ulan at tuluyang nalunod si pedro. pagdating ni pedro sa langit, nagreklamo siya sa Diyos. ang sabi niya, Lord bakit hindi ninyo pinakinggan ang mga dasal ko at hindi mo ako tinulungan. ang sagot ni Lord, ‘dalawang bangkang de motor ang pinadala ko sa iyo pero hindi mo pinansin’.

  83. I believe Gloria will all the more be bold today – contrary to the lessen that we think she could learn from this, she and her govt will be bolder, she now believes she is untouchable and will commit more corruption with impunity, rule the Philippines with more injustices committed, her friends and die hard allies will follow her suit.

    And you know what? This will give Esperon all the motivation to fastrack a guilty verdict against the incarcerated officers of the AFP!

  84. Oooops, “contrary to the LESSON…”

  85. I don’t believe that politics didn’t play a major role in the conviction of Estrada. As pundits and various commenters in the various blogs have been pointing out even before the verdict was rendered today, if the justices of the Sandiganbayan acquitted him, the decision would invalidate the presidency of Gloria Macapagal in 2001 and the succeeding power machinery that she has put in place, would put the entire Constitution on the firing line and worse, it would be like putting a stake in the hearts of the entire Supreme Court that was once led by SC Chief Justice Hilario Davide, the man under whose reign, SC pronounced Estrada “constructively” resigned, so, Erap must be declared guilty.

  86. To me, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada has been declared guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment by a Macapagal-Arroyo court and not by a duly constituted court of the Republic of the Philippines.

  87. luzviminda luzviminda

    A guilty verdict should be given if the case is proven beyond reasonable doubt. Yung pagdedeliver lang ng pera sa Polk St. was not succesfully proven dahil hindi nagkasya dun sa dimension ng box. Also it is difficult na madala ng isang tao ang ganun karami at kabigat na pera. Isa pa yun tungkol sa Velarde account ay pinAtotohanan ng mga opisyal ng bangko na kay Jaime Dichaves talaga dahil siya ang nag-open ng account at there are times na siya pa ang nag-wiwithdraw. Dun sa pera na nasa Muslim Foundation ay donation and is still intact. If Serapio and Jinggoy were acquitted then Erap should also be acquitted. Parang malabo yata ang decision ng mga hukot este hukom. These three justices now awaits their reward from Gloria! PATAY NA ANG HUSTISYA!

  88. Meanwhile, here’s a list of scandals and anomalous transactions that Gloria and her government have been involved in from day 1 after having toppled former President Estrada (and unresolved to this day):

    The list is from DJB’s Philippine Commentary thread “After Erap, Who’s next?” http://www.philippinecommentary.blogspot.com , preceeded by a brief introduction (his).

    Readers may google any of the following search terms to get an idea of the vast quagmire of corruption and malfeasance that Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her diehard allies must surely be brought before the Bar of Justice for:

    Jose Pidal unexplained wealth
    Nani Perez, IMPSA bribery scandal
    Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard
    NAIA-3
    Impeachment of Hilario Davide
    Venable Contract Norberto Gonzales
    EO 464
    Oakwood Mutiny
    JocJoc Bolante fertilizer scam
    Comelec Automated Counting Machine scandal
    2004 elections Philippines
    Maguindanao Zubiri Pimentel Bedol
    Hello Garci Wiretapping and Electoral Rigging Case
    Kidnapping Vidal Doble Family Medy Poblador
    Extrajudicial Killings
    ZTE National Broadband Network Deal
    Basilan Beheadings Abu Sayyaf and MILF Peace Talks

  89. There is no justice in the Philippines and will never be under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo because there is no more Rule of Law.

    We will have to go back to the impeachment trial of Estrada up to the time he was toppled by a bunch of Constitution rapists, and turn the hands of the clock to even begin to claim that we have rule of law in the Philippines.

  90. norpil norpil

    thanks for the link adebrux.

  91. Pareng Cocoy,

    Don’t worry, no offense taken. I am not an Erap fan, anyway. I respect your opinion. Ang sa akin lang, Aling Gloria must be subjected to the same, if not harsher, treatment when her time comes. Though, deep in my heart, I believe that Erap is indeed guilty of plunder, I think, the prosecution failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. Chavit’s turning state witness also seemed uncomfortable knowing that his motivation for turning against his friend was not unlike that of a “woman scorned” by an erstwhile paramour.

    Hala, mag Beer muna tayo.

  92. 17 major crimes and acts of corruption, injustice, misrule of law in the 6 years that Gloria’s been in power…

    At the rate she’s going, she’ll be worse than Imin Dada!

  93. Worse than Idi Amin Dada, than Suharto, than Mugabe and definitely worse than Marcos!

  94. Chabeli Chabeli

    I am not an Erap fan, but I do believe that the yard stick used on Erap should be the yardstick used on Gloria et al..

    I was appalled to see on TV Apostol posing infront of the cameras in the steps of the Sandinganbayan smiling & flashing the “V” sign with both his hands ! Talk about bad taste !

    I was also appalled at seeing Chavit Singson being interviewed on TV saying that Erap should go to Muntinlupa. In what capacity does he have to say that ? The last elections proved that the guy is a political has-been ! So when is the plunder case of Chavit Singson going to be ? I suppose he, too, should be tried for plunder. After all it does not mean that just because you are a whistleblower, you are scott free.

    “The law may be harsh, but it is the law” & should apply to ALL.

  95. Chabeli Chabeli

    Ka Enchong, I agree with what you say, “Conviction per se does not mean injustice. The devil, as the old saying goes, lies in the details. I agree that the prosecution, given a strong case, failed to prove their cause beyond reasonable doubt.”

  96. Chabeli Chabeli

    Ana, I am reminded of a blog I read before the verdict of Erap: “Any group who’ll attempt to oust Gloria must do it in a blitzkrieg fashion rather than opt for a protracted struggle. A protracted struggle only makes GMA stronger.”

    Until then, you are right to say that you “..believe Gloria will all the more be bold today – contrary to the lessen that we think she could learn from this, she and her govt will be bolder..”

  97. luzviminda luzviminda

    Dati ang paniwala natin ay yung mga maliliit lang na tao ng gobyerno ang nakukulong at nasisintensiyahan. Ngayon napatunayan natin na yung mga mahigpit na KALABAN NG GOBYERNO ay SINISINTENSIYAHAN din! At least di pa pinapapatay!

  98. Sampot Sampot

    The AdeBrux List, i believe, is a perpetual draft as similar but more heinous crimes are committed as we speak and will continue as the Nation permits it.

    We must beam our radar to what both the Energy Department of 2001 Coup Leader Angie Reyes, and the Arroyo Energy Committee of the Lower House are cooking now.

    I am pretty sure it will be a ZTE hundred fold.

    __________________________________________________________

    I guess the Erap Verdict should serve a lesson to all those who aspire to serve this country not to bring in too much baggages. It happened with Marcos – Rolex Club and Imelda.

    Kung tinupad lang sana nya ang kaniyang plataporma – “Walang kamag-anak, walang kumpare…” ‘di sana siya mapulaan.

    Of course kung walang makikitang mantsa ang Ruling Elite sa pagkatao ng isang presidentiable, mapipilitan din silang maghire ng assassin. Iyan ang nangyari kay Ninoy, ganoon din kay FPJ.

    In short, Erap was an easy job for the Ruling Class.

    Kaya mag-ingat dapat ang mga Ping at Trillanes.

  99. chi chi

    Jojovelas,

    Konti lang ang nag-rally so next step is put Erap in Munti. Now, that will be a different story. They wouldn’t dare kaya ang verdict is life lang and balik Tanay. Pinag-aralang mabuti iyan ng EK.

    Sino ba ang tao na sasagupa ng tuluyan sa military show of force ni Gloria? Natatawa nga ako dahil sa laki ng gastos ni Gloria para iparada ang mga tanke at sundalo, they were just snubbed by Erap’s supporters! That was the right thing to do. As I said in a previous loop, kung magkakaroon ng asksyon ay hindi sa D-Day dahil expected na yan.

    Ayaw na ng mga tao ang gulo at pagbubuwis ng buhay, pero hindi nangangahulugan na ang supporters ni Erap abandoned him.

    Erap is correct, even before Gloria thru Sandigan announced he was guilty, he was already acquitted by the citizens as per survey result. Hindi kailangang magbuwis ng dugo, iba ang laban ngayon.

  100. I agree with that blogger Chabs. As ever, all the great strategists said, to defeat the enemy, it is not adviseable to engage in protracted warfare – this applies to the war with Gloria, she is an enemy of the Republic and anything to do with toppling her must be done with speed (naturally, those who want to engage in battling her must do so well-prepared).

  101. chi chi

    Luz,

    Kung pinapatay nila si Erap, ‘yan ang gulo!

  102. Sampot,

    Absolutely agree: “…Erap was an easy job for the Ruling Class.”

  103. Gloria is not stupid, she may be dense in many areas but she is far from being stupid, the woman is a first class harlot in the art of political street fighting – unless she’s toppled today and done with, as days, months, years go by, she will be more than an expert, she will be untouchable and will be laughing her way to the bank more often in years to come.

  104. chi chi

    “The law may be harsh, but it is the law” & should apply to ALL.

    Why not apply the law to Jocjoc Bolante, Garci, Bedol, Abalos, etc.? Sampolan at ng paniwalaan! Due to immunity, si Gloria ay saka na kung idedemanda pa siya ng mga naglagay sa kanyang ng korona!

  105. In all honesty, I wish they would transfer Erap to Muntinlupa – that’s the law daw di ba? So let them enforce the law (daw) if they have the guts…then, we will see.

    (My advise though to Gloria, don’t push your luck too far because you will be Erap’s bunkmate there in the not too distant future.)

  106. Etnad Etnad

    Sarsuela lang lahat ang mga nangyayari diyan sa atin. Alam naman natin na sila lahat ay pareparehas. Kung sinabi nilang si Erap ay corrupt, bakit si Ramos hindi ba? Yang si Glorya hindi ba? Kung si Abalos na nga lang na mas mababa pa ang ranggo Bilyon ang gusto niyang hakutin si Erap magkano lang. Kailangan talaga natin ay linisin lahat sila walang sasantuhin … pagbabarilin sila lahat sa Luneta. Ginagawa na lang nilang palabigasan ang kaban ng bayan. Ano pa ang ginagawa natin, papayag na lang ba tayong ganito. Sabagay sabi nga ni Erap weder weder lang. Kahit anong gawin nila mabaho pa din ang tae nila. Puwee!!!!!

  107. “In all honesty, I wish they would transfer Erap to Muntinlupa – that’s the law daw di ba? So let them enforce the law (daw) if they have the guts…then, we will see.”

    Here, we have the same wish, Anna. Sooner will be better than later…

  108. chi chi

    Anna,

    That’s what I said in my earlier post last night. Let them commit Erap in Munti.

  109. Valdemar Valdemar

    9/12 is a day of glory. The verdict was the coup de grace. It was already encoded on the supremecourt web as an advisory at 0200 A.M. and released upon promulgation.

  110. Mrivera Mrivera

    kung nagawa nila ang ganito sa isang pinunong hinalal ng taong bayang naniwalang siya ang kanilang pag-asa upang kung hindi man umangat ang pamumuhay ay hindi naman naghihikahos tulad ng laganap na nararanasan, ano pa kaya ang hindi nila magawa sa karaniwang mamamayang walang kakayahan upang ipagtanggol ang kanyang karapatan?

    lahat ng kabuktutan ay nagawa na ng administrasyong ito na nag-aanyong maamong kalapati sa likod ng balahibo ng masibang buwitre at nariya’t lantaran ang kabikabilang katiwaliang halos ipinagbabanduhan at walang kahihiyan pang binibigyang katwiran ang pagkakasangkot ng sino mang kapanalig ng hayup na babae sa malakanyang.

    ano pang maayos na pamumuhay ang aasahan natin kung baon na sa utang ang pamahalaan? utang na ni hindi malaman kung saan napunta at taong bayan ang magpapasan sa pagbabayad sa pamamagitan ng kung ano anong buwis na ipapataw ng mga ganid at gahaman?

    paano pa makakabangon ang hilahod na sa hirap na si juan?

  111. Thought I read 9/12 is a day of GORY! Heh!

  112. Magno,

    “paano pa makakabangon ang hilahod na sa hirap na si juan?”

    By pulling the ground from under Gloria (paano ba translate iyang expression na yan sa Tagalog?)

  113. Chi,

    Sana nga, sige, muntinlupa na nila si Erap.

    (Remember Bastille? That was a prison too… destroyed in 1789 and from there the Jacobins fell.)

  114. Mrivera Mrivera

    “By pulling the ground from under Gloria (paano ba translate iyang expression na yan sa Tagalog?)”

    katulad din ‘yan marahil ng “kapag bumuka ang lupa sa kanyang kinatatayuan at nilamon si gloria”.

    parang malayo, diba? subalit ‘yan lamang ang mas malapit na pagsasalin para sa akin upang magkaroon naman ng pag-asa ang pilipinas kapag nawala na sa mundong ibabaw ang ina ng lahat ng salot!

  115. Mrivera Mrivera

    ‘People are tired of political drama’ — Arroyo

    Calls for reconciliation anew

    By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
    INQUIRER.net
    Last updated 08:59pm (Mla time) 09/12/2007

    MANILA, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday called for unity and reconciliation anew following the graft conviction of disgraced leader Joseph Estrada Wednesday.

    Speaking for the first time since Wednesday morning’s Sandiganbayan decision on Estrada’s plunder and perjury case, Arroyo said the “people are tired of political drama.”

    She said the people are now moving as a nation and want progress.

    “We live by the rule of law … We abide by what the court decides,” Arroyo said in an ambush interview shortly after she spoke at the launch of Bishop-Ulama-Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police Forum for Peace.

    http://www.newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=88235

    ukinnam!

    kapal ng mukhang walang laging ipinanawagan kundi pagkakaisa at pagkakaunawaan kapag merong kinatatakutan subalit siya ang pasimuno ng lahat ng kawalanghiyaan!

    tangnaka gloria, matatahimik lamang kami, mawawalan ng bigat na dinadala kapag napeste ka ng hayup ka!

    salot!

  116. chi chi

    ‘Yan ang iniisip ko, Anna.

    But EK studied Erap’s case to the full, isang mali niya ay siya ang tepok!

    ****

    Gloria thru Sandigan found Erap guilty of plunder punishable by death. Throw him there and let him await his silya electrika, if the law should be fully enforced. Siya ang babaeng supot!

  117. Mrivera Mrivera

    Estrada conviction ‘warning’ to corrupt officials–CBCP

    By Beverly T. Natividad
    Inquirer
    Last updated 05:07pm (Mla time) 09/12/2007

    MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court’s guilty verdict against former president Joseph Estrada is also a “warning sign” to other corrupt officials in the government, Catholic church leaders said.

    http://www.newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=88200

    mga baliw na sipsip na nakaabitong bayaran! mga ipokrito!

    hindi ko tinatalikuran ang aking pagiging katoliko subalit IKINAHIHIYA kong ang mga nagkukunwaring tagaakay at ngangangaral upang yakapin ang turo ng Diyos ay pawang kunsintidor ng kawalanghiyaan!

  118. pechanco pechanco

    stakei Says:

    September 12th, 2007 at 12:25 pm

    Ellen: Since Erap has been convicted with plunder, that means plunder also awaits Gloria Arroyo.

    —–Plunder awaits Arroyo if she’s charged of the crime. No one has charged her for plunder in court yet. It won’t happen during her term. It might not also happen if the next President is her ally. If she’s charged of plunder and the case goes to trial like that of Erap, then there’s a court precedence. The court could apply the decision given to Erap. Erap’s next step is to appeal the decision and elevate it to the Supreme Court. Since it was SC that legitimized Arroyo, it would be close to impossible that it would revert its decision. Considering that most of the SC justices are GMA appointees, Erap would still get a negative decision in the end. Then, Erap might have to be in jail indefinitely unless the next President pardons him. Plunder is a non-bailable crime and one gets capital punishment.

    Therefore, what’s Erap’s option other than appeal which would take a long time again? Another People Power. It pains me to learn that Erap’s supporters out in the streets were not that big enough. Paano naman dadami eh ilang linggo na pinaghandaan ng Palasyo? How could those same groups that ousted him join the protest rallies without slapping their own faces? Alam nilang mali ang ginawa nila kay Erap pero mahirap na bawiin nila. Ilan ba ang umamin na mali sila. Bakit tahimik sina Cory Aquino, CBCP, JIL, El Shaddai, militant groups, Party-list groups at pati si Uncle Sam tahimik? This GMA is the most evil leader but the luckiest. Kung hindi siya mapaparusahan dito sa mundo, tiyak sa kabilang buhay.

  119. Mrivera Mrivera

    mabuti pa si hudas, nagsisi sa kanyang pagkakanulo kay kristo. smanatalang itong mga sungayang kardinal at obispo ng simbahang katoliko ay walang tigil sa pagpapain sa sambayanang pilipino sa mga buwitreng namumugad sa bahay na bato sa tabing ilog pasig!

    mabuti pa sa kanila ang banal na aso at santong kabayo!

    nakakatuwa at nakakatawa. hi hi hi hi hi!

  120. chi chi

    ‘People are tired of political drama’ — Arroyo
    Calls for Reconciliation
    ***

    Mali ang head na ‘yan, dapat ganito:

    ‘People are tired of political drama, not Arroyo!’

    After all her fingers, including toes, were seen in the Erap trial! Walanghiya!

    Ang daling tanggapin ng guilty verdict kay Erap kung hindi nakita pati salawal ni Gloria sa buong trial!

    ****

    I-reconcile mo ang sarili mo, Gloria! Kung sawa ka na sa pulitika ay PAKAWALAN ang mga walang salang ‘Men of Honor’!

  121. Tilamsik Tilamsik

    Ipagsama silang pareho sa kulungan. Isang mandarambong at isang mandaraya.

  122. To me the Erap issue as the man and former leader is a close book and that we now should MOVE ON TO KICK GLORIA OUT.

    The ouster of Erap from office to me represented the rape of the Constitution; to me he never personified not the great leader that we want for this country but today, he and his presidency are the symbols of the misrule of law in this country.

    If there is anything that I regret is not Erap as president (hell, I didn’t think he would be a good president in the first place) but his ouster, the manner in which it was done and the rape of the common people by those who thought they had all the right in the world to waylay the votes of the masa for a man who had sumbmitted himself to the electoral process fairly and squarely.

    The rape of the Constitution would forever mark the perversion of the political and justice systems in our country – Erap’s ouster in that manner spelled the murder of democracy in our country – the continuing abuse of the law by a few their continuing commission of crimes with impunity.

  123. pechanco pechanco

    I agree. Erap’s case is a close book since he has been finally been convicted. The next best thing to do is to move on to oust GMA. Ousting often needs careful planning. Hindi magiging effective kung isabay sa pagbaba ng hatol kay Erap. Unang-una, kalat ang mga sundalo at tanke ng Malacanang. Handa sila. Pangalawa, hindi maganda para sa opposition ang hindi sumang-ayon sa decision ng korte. Mismong si Jinggoy tinanggap ang hatol sa tatay niya. Speaking of Jinggoy, I now realize why he was reported to have become friendly to Malacanang recently. He together with some other opposition joined the administration group making Villar the Senate President. Since Jinggoy was acquitted of his crime, pumasok ngayon sa isipan ko na maaari ngang may kasunduan siya sa Malacanang. Pasensiya na kayo pero wala akong bilib diyan kay Jinggoy. I’m even against his running for higher office if he has plan on this.

  124. jojovelas2005 jojovelas2005

    Who’s next Magdalo or Trillanes? Siguro ang hatol kay Trillanes ay not guilty for wearing magdalo banner and running as Senator but found GUILTY in rebellion.

  125. chi chi

    Anna,

    Thanks for the link. Nakakatuwa. Only the writer referred to the group that ousted Erap as “enlightened”. If they were, why didn’t they see that Gloria is worse than Erap? Not even a gut feel?!

    That group was of the ruling class, the civil society kuno, and the Bayan who conspired to abuse our Constitution, not “enlightened” ones.

  126. purpledawn purpledawn

    the conviction of Erap is another big mockery performed by the Arroyo government on the Filipino people and their genuine search for good government. how can it be otherwise when the existing administration has become the much greater criminal — in terms of corruption, election-rigging and HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS — than that of Erap. Down with Arroyo!! People can’t simply believe that there can be true justice under an immoral and illigetimate leadership.

  127. Hi Chi,

    I think she said “enlightened” in irony.

  128. “Ipagsama silang pareho sa kulungan. Isang mandarambong at isang mandaraya.”

    Tilamsik,

    A little editing,if you’d allow me:

    Ipagsama silang pareho sa kulungan. Isang mandarambong at isang MANDARAMBONG NA, MANDARAYA PA.

  129. Pardon me, ano ba ang mandarambong? (mandarambog ba?)

  130. chi chi

    Thanks, Anna.

  131. pechanco pechanco

    Also, I say “Jinggoy is not Erap” and “Erap is not Jinggoy”. Maliban sa magkamukha at porma, malayo at magkaiba ang ugali nila. Between now and 2010, I believe something big…bigger than the two past Edsas will happen. If there was plan or plans to physically kick out GMA during the day decision was rendered on Erap, it could have been aborted. In military strategy or even in any fight, you don’t go against the strength of the enemy by confronting him one on one. You attack when he least expects. Baka ganoon ang balak ng mga tao. Pero babalik din tayo sa US factor. Siguro kapag wala na si Bush, baka diyan ang wakas ni GMA. Pero malapit na din ang 2010. Many would like it to be status quo. Many believe that since GMA only has a few years, why rock the boat. Iyan ang sa kanila. Pero sa atin, any day that GMA stays is a big torture to the people.

  132. Spot on Pechanco!

    “Pero sa atin, any day that GMA stays is a big torture to the people.”

  133. alexxx alexxx

    Tama na yan….. puro kayo reklamo. wala naman kayong ginagawa. If you can’t stand the heat in the kitchen, just get out!

  134. Naku, ayan, nagalit na si Gloria (“Tama na yan….. puro kayo reklamo. wala naman kayong ginagawa. If you can’t stand the heat in the kitchen, just get out!”

  135. Chabeli Chabeli

    After the verdict of Erap, everyone’s eyes just focused on Gloria – if not with more intensity. If there is a place worse than being in a fish bowl, that is exactly were Gloria is..it’s definitely a position no one would envy !

  136. Chabeli Chabeli

    Gloria keeps saying that it’s time to move on. Yeah, maybe we should move on now that Erap has been found Guilty of Plunder. Let’s move on & focus on Gloria & on every single detail of what she & her pigs are doing. Let’s make her regret she said “let’s-move-on”.

    “‘People are tired of political drama’ — Arroyo” I sure am ! Especially when she’s the leading role in the drama !

  137. pechanco pechanco

    Who is this Alexxx? Can you please stop being sarcastic and leave us alone here? We expect GMA dogs like you to rejoice but you and the other dogs shall still go to hell together with your Mother Dog. Ang hirap kasi sa mga tunggak na iyan…bagsak na iyong tao sinisipa pa.

  138. Pechanco,

    Baka si Luli yan…

  139. Chabeli Chabeli

    “If you can’t stand the heat in the kitchen, just get out!”

    Alexxx should do just that – get out !

  140. chi chi

    Ellen,

    Meron na namang nagpapatahimik sa atin. Kwidaw, baka i-hack ni Alexxx ang Ellenville mamaya!

    Out kitchen is too hot for him to handle, baka i-arson tayo dito!

  141. Chi,

    Baka tungaw yan ni Gloria.

  142. Sampot Sampot

    My personal note to GMA is for her to enjoy the party while it lasts.

    This could be her despedida.

    I don’t think the shocked masses will just take it sitting down.

    They’ve done it on their own in the past, they will do it again. But this time, the middle class might join in, [maybe] not to free Erap but surely to remove the Sticky Slimy Glue.

    And the military?

    Your guess is as good as mine.

  143. zen2 zen2

    since there is a unanimity of opinion here (or even elsewhere) that SandiganBayan rendered a verdict that is mainly anchored on political considerations as against, the correct way, merits of rule of law and justice; then why do some of us accept the ruling ?

    my apologies in advance to any ruffled feelings but, imho, arguments proposing that we close the issue by accepting the verdict sounds unbelievably silly, if not sissy-like.

    hell; since there is very little doubt that legitimacy considerations guided the deliberations, this should be the focal point of our protests and therefore, unqualified rejection of the Sandigan’s decision.

    the only universally acceptable way to overthrow a duly-constituted and legitimate President, outside to that of impeachment, is a revolution—-one, that is democratic in nature and not, by any coup de’etats.

    EDSA 2 was, never a revolution.

  144. zen2 zen2

    pechanco,

    i think am willing to read or listen to posts laced with healthy dose of sarcasm, or even to those out of countenance; but have very little regard to those who are quick to boorishness. in trying times like this, a little more of tolerance is expected of us.

    peace.

  145. paquito paquito

    Politikal ang naging hatol kay Erap. Si Erap ay not guilty sa totoong termino nito, wla syang kasalanan—gusto lang ng gobyerno ni gloria (kuno!) ay patunayan na legitimate President sya kaya hinatulan na guilty si Erap.
    Kasuhan nila sina Gloria at FVR, tignan natin kung guilty rin—bobong justices sa pilipinas napapadala sa isang instruction ng demonyo sa malakanyang.
    Sama sama na tayo para pabagsakin ang bubungan ng malakanyang at matabunan ang pamilya ng mga demonyo.
    Gloria and Family—RIP

  146. paquito paquito

    nangagaw ng poder sa malakanyang
    sasaring anomalya
    sinungaling
    mandaraya + hello garci
    nandya sa eleksyon na pinanalunan ni FPJ
    broadband controversy = si Gloria mastermind
    jose pidal
    magnanakaw
    Ilan lang po yan sa mga atraso ni Gloria sa sambayan. Ang hatol ng bayan = bitay!

  147. alexxx alexxx

    hahahaha. Masyado ka namang paranoid pechaco. HIndi ako aso ni GMA. Ang sinasabi ko lang dun sa huling post ko, ano ba ang ginagawa nyo para mapaalis si GMA? Baka ung iba nga sa inyo eh naki-rally sa Edsa dos. Tutal nasa usapang aso na tayo itutuloy ko na. Wag tayo puro kahol. Kung gusto ng pagbabago kumilos na! mangagat na kung kinakailangan.

  148. Alexx,

    OK, believe na ako sa yo.

    Siya nga pala, ilan na ang nakagat mo para mapaalis si Gloria?

  149. pechanco pechanco

    This Alexxx, kinakagat niya ang mga kaaway ni GMA pero dinidila naman ang paa at puwet ni GMA. Well, I don’t think it’s worth exchanging with this moron.

  150. You bet, Anna, it’s the unano’s kangaroo court that tried Erap. So, no one should expect a fair verdict from it. Nababoy na ang court ng Pilipinas noon pa, at mas lalong nababoy when Davide became the Chief Justice of the SC. Kaya ako, maski si Puno, questionable sa akin!

    They should follow the way we choose the judges of our Supreme Court, by elimination during national elections. All rose from the ranks, and then we eliminate the unworthy one by one. Kahit isang deletion lang even by one voter, hindi puedeng maging judge of the Supreme Court dito. Sa Pilipinas, wow, appointee ng magnanakaw na sinungaling pa. And the result—a court ala-Mafia!

  151. Kung sabagay, hindi naman kasi swapang ang mga judges dito. Very, very rare ang kurakot. Lahat may dignidad at respeto sa sarili. Pag nawala iyan, forget it—Just-tiis na lang! Saklap!

  152. parasabayan parasabayan

    Erap’s conviction has raised the bar higher for the tiyanak!
    Erap’s crime is miniscule compared to the tiyanak’s wrong doings. Ang masama nga lang, she has three years more to alter the course of justice, her style. In two years, the two Sandigan Justices(who convicted Erap) will have been installed in the Supreme Court. So, if Erap appeals his case in the Supreme Court, sorry na lang siya. What is worse, to stay in power beyond 2010, tiyanak would try putting up her Parliamentary System again and this will allow her to stay in power as long as she wants. With two more justices voting in favor of her style, what would become of us?

  153. maarte maarte

    Tumpak parasabayan. After Erap’s conviction, Gloria will work on parliamentary form. The longer she remains in power, the safer she is…safe from prosecution. The trouble with us Filipinos is that we have a short memory. Madali tayong makalimot at madali tayong magpatawad. But this time, I hope the Filipinos would have a long memory of this Gloria.

  154. Maarte,

    Sa haba ng listahan ng kasalanan niya, siguro ngayon di na madaling kalimutan ang pagka corrupt ni Gloria.

  155. maarte maarte

    Thanks AdeBrux sa pagsang-ayon mo. Let’s keep this blog for future perusal. Sana ipagpatuloy ng mga anak at magiging anak natin itong blog para lalong matandaan ng mga Pilipino ang mahabang listahan ng mga kasalanan ni Gloria.

  156. Isaac H Isaac H

    Hello kamusta kayo lahat. Ako bagong enrol dito. Coffee break muna, ito ang joke from the Philippine Journal in Vancouver BC Canada. Muldoon with only a pet dog, one day the dog died. He went to the parish priest and asked, “Father, my dog is dead. Could ya’ be saying a mass for the poor creature?” Fr Patrick replied, “I’m afraid not; we cannot have services for an animal in the church. But there are some Baptists down the lane, and there’s no tellin’ what they believe. Maybe they’ll do something for the creature.” Muldoon said, “I’ll go right away Father. Do you think $5,000 is enough to donate to them for the service. Fr.Patrick exclaimed, “Sweet Mary, Mother of Jesus! Why didn’t you tell me the dog was Catholic?” SEE YOU ALL and have a NICE day.

  157. Valdemar Valdemar

    Truly now I realize 9/12 was a day of infamy. There were three fronts, the american supervised war in the south, the NPAs all over the country but thanks for the Dutch cooperation, and infront of the Sandigan with the 300 protesters block by the 6000 phallanx of policemen and soldiers. Now its all over. Any opposition is a total wreck. Carry on with the boodlefights on the sovereign loan commissions. No more obstacles. And high heavens is also on their side.

  158. Zen2: EDSA 2 was, never a revolution.

    *****

    Sinabi mo pa. It was merely a power grab led by a criminal and her fellow criminals who succeeded in duping a lot many Filipinos into believing that they were for real, and the one they were removing was the real villain! They did not realize then that they were patronizing a devil’s advocate!!!

  159. pechanco pechanco

    Isaac H, are you based in Vancouver? That was a nice joke but I don’t think the members here are in the mood for jokes. Malungkot kaming lahat. You enrolled at a time when emotions run high in this group. Why not organize a group in Vancouver to protest the treatment Erap received? Like in the US, I think the Filipinos in Canada are pre-occupied with their jobs. Iyan lang kasi ang alam ng karamihan…trabaho at pamilya. Walang pakialam sa bansang sinilangan nila.

  160. chi chi

    Isaac H, welcome at Ellenville!

    Hahahaahh! You made my day with that story.

  161. Hahahahah! Typical Irish joke! Great one Isaac.

    Heard that same joke but Father Patrick was called Father Murphy and Muldoon was Sean; (Murphy is pronounced in Irish: MOORPHEE heh!)

  162. chi chi

    Pechanco,

    Most of the ‘antiques’ here at Ellenville resides overseas, but many still have families in Pinas like me. Individually and via Ellenville, we contribute and make ‘pakialam’ para sa bansa natin. Nangampanya kami noong eleksyon (itanong mo man kay Trillanes :-)), bumoto ang marami sa amin, kasama ako, at etc. pa na hindi ko babanggitin dahil personal para sa akin.

    True, many have already left Pinas completely, but all of us here have not! Kasi ay nandito kami sa Ellenville, our cyberhome in Pinas!

  163. chi chi

    …reside..

  164. pechanco pechanco

    Thank you Chi. I didn’t know Ellen is rich ’cause she owns Ellenville Subdivision.

  165. chi chi

    Oh yeah, Pechanco, Ellen is so rich with true friends. Walang iwanan dito.

  166. BOB BOB

    Kung ako si ERAP ! Tutal guilty ang hatol (20-40 yrs.)
    Ano pa hinihintay mo, Magsalita ka na , Manawagan ka na sa taong bayan na mag-aklas na (coup). Manawagan ka sa Taong bayan na lumabas at sumama sa mga gagawing rally..tutal wala namang silang magagawa na para pigilin ka,Tutal para ka na ring pinatay niyan, kaya mabuti pa na mamatay nang lumalaban…Erap ! baka iyan lang ang hinihintay ng sambayanan..Kaya manawagan ka na !

  167. neonate neonate

    Charming entry and joke, Isaac H. I love coffee breaks like yours.

  168. luzviminda luzviminda

    Republic Act No. 7080
    AN ACT DEFINING AND PENALIZING THE CRIME OF PLUNDER

    Section 1. Definition of terms. As used in this Act, the term –
    1. “Public Officer” means any person holding any public office in the Government of the Republic of the Philippines by virtue of an appointment, election or contract.
    2. “Government” includes the National Government, and any of its subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.
    3. “Person” includes any natural or juridical person, unless the context indicates otherwise.
    4. “Ill-gotten wealth” means any asset, property, business enterprise or material possession of any person within the purview of Section two (2) hereof, acquired by him directly or indirectly through dummies, nominees, agents, subordinates and/or business associates by any combination or series of the following means or similar schemes:
    1. Through misappropriation, conversion, misuse, or malversation of public funds or raids on the public treasury;
    2. By receiving, directly or indirectly, any commission, gift, share, percentage, kickbacks or any/or entity in connection with any government contract or project or by reason of the office or position of the public officer concerned;
    3. By the illegal or fraudulent conveyance or disposition of assets belonging to the National government or any of its subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities or government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries;
    4. By obtaining, receiving or accepting directly or indirectly any shares of stock, equity or any other form of interest or participation including the promise of future employment in any business enterprise or undertaking;
    5. By establishing agricultural, industrial or commercial monopolies or other combinations and/or implementation of decrees and orders intended to benefit particular persons or special interests; or
    6. By taking undue advantage of official position, authority, relationship, connection or influence to unjustly enrich himself or themselves at the expense and to the damage and prejudice of the Filipino people and the Republic of the Philippines.
    Sec. 2. Definition of the Crime of Plunder, Penalties. Any public officer who, by himself or in conivance with members of his family, relatives by affinity or consanguinity, business associates, subordinates or other persons, amasses, accumulates or acquires ill-gotten wealth through a combination or series of overt or criminal acts as described in Section 1 (d) hereof, in the aggregate amount or total value of at least Seventy-five million pesos (P75,000,000.00), shall be guilty of the crime of plunder and shall be punished by life imprisonment with perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any public office. Any person who participated with the said public officer in the commission of plunder shall likewise be punished. In the imposition of penalties, the degree of participation and the attendance of mitigating and extenuating circumstances shall be considered by the court. The court shall declare any and all ill-gotten wealth and their interests other incomes and assets including the properties and shares of stocks derived from the deposit or investment thereof forfeited in favor of the State.
    [Note: Section 2 was amended by Republic Act No. 7659, which amends the amount to 50 Million instead of 75 Million]
    ——————–

    I am not a lawyer but I can understand what is expressed in the law… So how can the justices of the Sandiganbayan render a GUILTY verdict to Erap Estrada if in the first place there is ‘NO evidence beyond reasonable doubt’ that he accepted the JUETENG money and the check representing commissions from Belle shares. And how can there be Plunder if the money involve is NOT government money and therefore not ill-gotten wealth as defined in the law. Truly these confused justices have committed a grave mistake and injustice to Erap. All the evidences and guilt points and ends to Chavit Singson. He should be the one in jail. Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan!!! So IS THERE JUSTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES?

  169. Very clear cut the law is – so clear cut that breaking it becomes the most lucrative game in town.

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