Sandiganbayan verdict on Erap, a warning to corrupt officials
City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the conviction of former President Joseph Estrada for plunder should serve as a warning to all the corrupt officials in the country. He said this simply proves that "no one is above the law and all must contend with the rule of laws."
The Sandiganbayan Special Division found Estrada guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the charge of plunder and sentenced him to Reclusion Perpetua. The perjury case against Estrada was however dismissed. The anti-graft court also ordered the freezing of Estrada's accounts estimated to $87 million.
The funds, including protection money from illegal gambling operators, embezzled tobacco taxes, and commissions from insider trading, will be "forfeited" in favor of the government, the anti-graft court ruled.
Treñas said this is also a manifestation that the Sandiganbayan or any courts in the country are serious in running after the grafters. The decision showed that the court made their point and carefully deliberated on their decisions since Senator Jinggoy Estrada and lawyer Eduardo Serapio were acquitted by the anti-graft court for plunder.
He said there are available legal remedies that Estrada's lawyers could exhaust to contest the decision of the anti-graft court.
"The wheel of justice should be allowed take its own course. It is how the legal system in the country works. I believe their lawyers have already filed a motion before the Supreme Court over the Sandiganbayan verdict," said Treñas.
"Meantime, the people should move on and let the occasion be put behind. The case had been in the anti-graft court for six years. I was not a mayor then of the city and now I am serving my last term of office," said Treñas.
The chief executive said there are Estrada sympathizers in the city. "Let us be sensitive to their feelings after their leader is convicted with plunder." All sectors must accept the decision calmly. Yesterday, no mass actions were held in the city in relation to the Estrada verdict day.