After the Estrada Verdict

September 20th, 2007 at 1:41 am (General, National Politics)

While I was happy with the guilty verdict on former President Joseph Estrada’s plunder case, I totally agree with the Inquirer editorial a few days ago, “Who’s next?” that

what is needed in dealing with the problem of graft and corruption are not new government agencies but resolute action against grafters. We already have many government agencies charged with bringing corrupt officials to justice. What is needed is the political will to go after these officials and not to let up until they are all behind bars.

The editorial lists seven issues / cases that should be given due judicial attention:

(1) The $2-million extortion charge against former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez filed by former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez in 2001.

(2) The P1.3-billion election computerization deal.

(3) The alleged P532.9-million overpricing of the P1.1-billion 5.1-kilometer President Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in the Manila Bay reclamation area.

(4) The P200-million Jose Pidal case.

(5) The $503-million Northrail project.

(6) The P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

(7) The $329-million National Broadband Network.

The conviction of Estrada is not a victory or triumph of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her cohorts. Rather, it is a victory for the Filipino people and our justice system. To legitimize and validate Estrada’s conviction, it is imperative that the due and proper legal attention should be given to these matters.

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