It's Sandiganbayan that's guilty

DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
9/14/2007



As we predicted, the Sandiganbayan justices would play their part in the lynching of President Joseph E. Estrada. We put it on record, in very clear terms how and why the scripted drama would unfold in the edifice of hypocrisy at the corner of Batasan Road and Commonwealth Avenue, in several columns the past week. President Estrada, I know, also knew the pre-determined outcome long before but he chose to help the justices keep their self-respect intact before the public – though people should note how he dared the three justices to look into his eyes but the three stooges never once faced him from their high horses to avoid the glare from the honest and innocent man.

The three justice were listless and unenthusiastic, one (later I found out to be Peralta) slouched so badly that his crossed legs were almost over the judges’ table and his left knee jutted out the top. Someone noted how this Peralta so insulted himself by his low demeanor, but is of no import to the man who got appointed to the Sandiganbayan by ingratiating himself with Gloria by way of a planned “bump into” with Gloria where he pulled out a picture of Diosdado Macapagal and Peralta’s father who were classmates – and obsequiously whined that he is named after Gloria’s father. Justice Diosdado Peralta. A call by Gloria to the Judicial Bar Council sealed the appointment.

All three were guilty of producing what will be considered among the worse judicial decision in the annals of Philippine justice, given the holes in them. They gave credence to Chavit Singson in convicting President Estrada in the jueteng case, yet they found the same incredible in Jinggoy and Ed Serapio’s cases hence their acquittal. They held President Estrada responsible for the transactions in the Belle shares when the respective boards of the SSS and GSIS were the collective bodies that approved the purchases, and testimonies of Chuckie Arellano and Federico Pascual which were given under duress – threat of prosecution from then Justice Sec. Nani Perez (who gained notoriety in the Impsa scandal).

Neither case involved public funds, essential to a plunder charge. Neither case provided evidence that proves the criminal charges beyond reasonable doubt. Even the often confused Miriam Defensor Santiago this time discerned the flawed basis of the conviction because of the absence of public funds. Even, for the sake of argument, if transgressions could be proved the possible crimes would be short of plunder because of that; but such lighter cases would have allowed the immensely popular President Estrada time serve or bail, release from detention and liberty to move around the population – something the unpopular Gloria cannot afford to allow.

The SWS reported that most Filipinos expected an acquittal and were surprised by the conviction. It indicates that deep down most citizens believe Estrada innocence, hence the conviction by the Sandiganbayan was needed by Gloria and her cohorts to justify their Edsa Dos – like the Makati corporatists who have been plundering this country since they partnered with Gloria in the Edsa Dos power grab. The Yuchengco interest, represented by Vivian Yuchengco who was especially vicious and vocal urging Erap’s conviction in the prelude to the Sandiganbayan promulgation, got P 22-B windfall margins from the P 10-B Code-NGO Peace Bond right after Edsa Dos.

The Makati corporatists conspired to oust the elected President Estrada for oppossing “sovereign guarantees”, “automatic” rate hikes, etc. They have been celebrating Erap’s conviction and manipulated the stock market to show a perk up and create the deception business welcomes the conviction. But real businesses are more concerned about Gloria’s corruption, scandals, smuggling and policy drift. Nobody believe the stock market anymore, all seen as a bunch of predatory sharks opportunists. The people see them as corrupt and oppressive as Gloria, as guilty as the Sandiganbayan and the entire system in the lynching of President Estrada and the people.

Archbishop Rosales, recipient of Gloria’s P 30-M donation to his “Pondong Pinoy”, also led the CBCP to use the Sandiganbayan conviction of President Estrada to justify its underhanded role with the Cardinal Sin, in Edsa Dos and obliquely demonizing Estrada by admonishing unnamed “corrupt politicians” lest they suffer the same fate. Rosales prejudged Estrada days before the promulgation in a published appeal for Estrada followers not to react to what clearly knew would be an adverse decision. Yet, we should not forget the “mea culpa” already issued by the progressive leaders of the Church through Bishop Tobias’ sermon two years ago.

Estrada’s lawyers will file a motion for reconsideration, a similar adverse decision is to be expected. The cases will be elevated to the Supreme Court which, after two to three years, will grandstand and thrown out the cases and free Estrada –about exactly the time Gloria’s official, though illegal, term runs out. That’s the duration planned by the corporatist powers to make permanent the structure of corporatist plunder and the destruction of the evolving Philippine democracy; but as sure as the Sandiganbayan lynching I predicted happened, so shall the final acquittal of Estrada and the Last Revolution to liberate this country come to pass.

If the popular rage is seemingly subdued these days it is because silent waters run deep where tsunamis begin.

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