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Release of former Philippines leader Estrada blocked
MANILA (AFP) - Former Philippines leader Joseph Estrada, who was granted a presidential pardon after being jailed for life for massive corruption, was set to walk free Friday, but legal red tape blocked his path.
Thousands of fans had massed in the Manila suburb of San Juan to await the arrival of the actor-turned-
president, who was convicted six weeks ago of plundering tens of millions of dollars in tax kickbacks and bribes.
President Gloria Arroyo on Thursday granted the 70-year-old a full pardon as an act of "national reconciliation" -- but lingering questions over his assets delayed his release from house arrest.
His pardon was based on the condition that he turn over about 80 million dollars in illegally obtained property and funds, court spokesman Renato Bocar said, but justices were still checking whether he had the money to pay up.
"The justices will determine if this problem with the satisfying of forfeited accounts is a legal impediment for the physical release of the former president," Bocar said. Estrada''s lawyer called the delay a "legal formality."
Estrada, known to
supporters simply as "Erap", was to have left his villa east of Manila at about midday to make the hour''s drive to San Juan, where he was to address supporters and visit his ailing 102-year-old mother in hospital.
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Supporters had gathered in the streets of San Juan, a Manila suburb where he began his political career as mayor in the 1960s. Buildings were draped in orange, his signature colour when he won the presidency in 1998.
Estrada, who had earlier insisted he had rejected a deal offered by Arroyo, was found guilty on September 12 by a special anti-graft court after a six-year trial that he repeatedly insisted was politically motivated.
On Friday, Estrada changed his tune, thanking Arroyo and saying he was "fully aware of the tough times and agonising choices she went through before deciding to grant pardon."
"I believe history will vindicate not only this executive action but my innocence as well with regards to those charges," he said in a statement.
The case has marked a bitter chapter in Philippine
politics that began when the one-time action hero was ousted from power in a bloodless coup in 2001, a move that led to violent street protests.
Arroyo said she hoped the pardon -- part of a policy to free prisoners over the age of 70 -- would help "national reconciliation" but her critics say it is a political ploy to deflect charges of corruption in her own government.
"She is sending the message that once again, political expediency trumps political maturity and the pursuit of justice," the Philippine Daily Inquirer said in an editorial.
"Does anyone doubt that the pardon is really meant, not to save Estrada''s skin, but hers?"
In a speech Friday to Philippine business leaders, Arroyo said her decision "will be debated, welcomed, criticised and given all sorts of meanings and motives. But in the end, justice was done."
She said her decision had been based on his age, time served, his mother''s failing health and his assurances that he would not attempt to recover stolen money or seek elected office again.
"We must move on as a nation," Arroyo said.
Former president Corazon Aquino welcomed the decision, but her successor Fidel Ramos said the move would lead to Arroyo''s downfall.
At Estrada''s villa, hundreds of supporters arrived, many aboard buses, at first light to catch a glimpse of the former leader.
"He was always our president," said 71-year-old Erlinda Esteban, who came on foot from a nearby village.
"He never stole from the government. Whatever he took was from illegal gamblinmade his name in more than 100 movies over three decades, cultivated an image of the everyday man who spoke in fractured English and was a champion of the poor.
When he was elected in 1998, it was with the largest majority in Philippine presidential history. When he was ousted three years later, thousands of
people laid siege to the presidential palace to reinstate him.
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Upon reading this news I realized that "most" of the asian people especially the filipino''s are always forgiving and most of the time has a very humble heart.Joseph Estrada has been a famous actor,just like his best buddy,"Fernando Poe,Jr,who already rest in peace.I believe that if "Mr. Fernando Poe" is still alive,there would surely be a much bigger WELCOME PARTY for Joseph Estrada.
I am indeed very happy that Joseph Estrada was given a pardon not because he used to be a famous actor but because I do believe that he has done so many good things for our country,especially for ordinary people.I think every people involved in the Philippine Goverments as well as to other countries has been hiding their bad sides and trying to show their fellowmen that they are the Best among the Best.
This are just my opinions,I didn''t mean to annoy anyone. I stand for what I believe and respect other peoples own belief.
Let us all live a harmonious life by having an open minded personality and a humble heart!
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. There are three things that will endure -- faith, hope, and love -- and the greatest of these is love......JULIE ANN
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