Erap will be free after the 2007 elections

Yes, you heard it right.

Nabasa ko kasi yung article ni Billy Esposo eh.

As far as most Filipinos are concerned, this coming May 14 election is also a proxy fight between Gloria and Erap. If the opposition is able to amass the critical number of votes in the House of Representatives, then that would propel the impeachment case forward to what will likely be a more opposition-dominated Senate. That will mean lights out for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and a new dawn for Joseph Estrada. Erap will not be returning to Malacañang but he will likely regain his freedom and get a chance to rehabilitate his damaged reputation.

Actually, it was GMA who did more to rehabilitate Erap's reputation than anybody else I know of. Isa pa manong Billy: It is more likely na Arroyo will be the one to free Erap by pardoning him if she wins this midterm elections.

Here's why. I'm sure narinig mo na yung "free Erap" campaign ni Mike Defensor. Defensor even said na Arroyo supports this move. At kung may nagalit man sa civil society sa trial balloon na ito, hindi ko siya masyadong narinig.

The only reason kung bakit binawi ng Malacanang itong idea na ito for now is because ayaw nilang pakawalan si Erap before the elections. Dahil ayaw nilang magkampanya si Erap during the elections for some opposition candidates. Dahil makakatulong ang suporta ni erap sa mga kandidato na gusto nyang suportahan, and could cause Arroyo's team to lose big.. I'm sure kung sinabi ni erap na susuportahan niya ang candidacy ni Mike defensor, magiging topnotcher si Tol nyan.

The admin is so paranoid about the erap factor na they're even making it hard for people to visit erap in Tanay. jeez.

But eniwey, listen to the recent administration rhetoric re this election: "Reconciliation" and "Unity". Tignan mo kung sino yung candidates ng admin ngayon... people like Angara, Sotto, and Oreta (ASO). Listen to Mike Defensor and other Arroyo allies call for erap's release. They do this not only because they are pandering to the masa supporters, but because many of those who used to hate or dislike erap (from civil society to former edsa dos supporters) are now willing to see him free, for the sake of national unity and healing.

But Arroyo will pardon erap only after the elections, especially if her team wins. Because they really don't see erap as a threat anymore after the midterm polls. If she "prevails" in the so called referendum, she will get her "legitimacy" back, and no stinkin erap can take that away from her this time. And she'll look magnanimous when she pardons erap. her move will be considered a great humanitarian move by Arroyo supporters. Unity. Reconciliation. Heal the Land.

So here's how it will be done.

first, tatapusin na ng korte ang kaso ni erap, and they'll find him guilty.

then arroyo will pardon erap, and declare him a free man. of course kung may "ninakaw" man siyang pera sa gobierno, pagmamayari ng gobierno yan. (although i see no credible evidence na he stole gov't money while in Malacanang.)

at yung mga jueteng money na tinagggap niya, isoli kay chavit. (i believe guilty si erap dito)

only the most ardent erap haters will not like the pardon, but i suspect most people, including the CBCP, INC, El Shaddai, a sizable number of civil society people and the more moderate members of this admin (including Mike Defensor) will support such a move/gamble.

the move to hand a guilty verdict will appease the remaining extremist erap-haters in her admin and this verdict will be used as proof that edsa dos was indeed "justified."

here are signs na this will happen:

Despite its much publicized efforts to reconcile with the camp of deposed President Joseph Estrada, Malacañang yesterday refused to give any commitment on the proposed release of the ousted leader next year (2007) when he turns 70 years old.

This was the Palace’s reaction to the statement of lawyer Leonard de Vera, convenor of Equal Justice for All Movement, who said Estrada should be released once he turns 70 years old next year based on Memorandum Circular (MC) 155 issued by President Arroyo on Nov. 17, 2004, which granted executive clemency to convicts who are 70 years old and above.

If you'll recall, leonard de vera is one of those noted anti-eraps in 2000. but why is he asking for the devil erap to be released this year?

Here's another one:

Sunday, March 26 2006 @ 08:19 PM BST

National
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye on Sunday conceded that former president Joseph Estrada eventually might not land in jail because President Arroyo has always maintained Estrada should be treated humanely.

In a radio interview, Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo believes that Estrada should be accorded humane treatment because of his stature and age.

Estrada is turning 69 on April 19.

Bunye said the humane treatment for Estrada should be "within the bounds of the law."

He said he was not aware of Memorandum 155, which President Arroyo was supposed to have signed on November 17, granting parole to convicts who are more than 70 years old.

A lawyer, Leonard de Vera, over the weekend said that even if the Sandiganbayan convicts Estrada of plunder and perjury, he would still not land in jail because of the memorandum order.

Everything is in place na after the elections.

Sure, there's a possibility na the opposition might spring erap free if they were able to impeach arroyo, but it is highly unlikely. If a member of the opposition would dare even suggest na erap should be freed during the elections, you guys from the PHILSTAR and other civil society haters would pounce on him. Bawal mag-suggest ang opposition nyan, because they'll never hear the end of it from you people. Only the arroyo admin can get away with such a proposal. Double Standard? You bet.