Dutch Pinoys hit Erap’s refusal to yield assets

Dutch Pinoys hit Erap’s refusal to yield assets

By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Filipinos in the Netherlands are fed up with the seemingly never-ending issues related to former president Joseph Estrada’s back-to-back conviction and executive clemency for the crime of plunder.

Less than a month after Estrada received executive clemency from President Arroyo on October 25, the deposed president is now embroiled in a new controversy surrounding his plunder conviction after refusing to surrender his assets to the government.

Discussions among Filipinos in the Netherlands seemed to focus on politics, particularly on "Erap," more than the usual small talk and the usual social gatherings over wine or beer.

Apparently, a lot of them who were against Estrada’s pardon had slowly started to forget their initial shock and disgust. What they want now is for the Philippines to move on and achieve national reconciliation.

But now, Estrada is fighting to stop the Sandiganbayan from confiscating around P700 million of his properties and cash. The special division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan will hear his arguments and those of the special prosecutor on December 5.

Filipinos said they think it’s déjà vu again: court proceedings that are chasing Estrada for nothing.

They want the people’s money back and they want to see the national reconciliation that was promised when Estrada was pardoned for the good of the country.

“I’m not for Erap. I’m not for Gloria, but for the sake of the Filipinos they have to think about it. Stop corruption in the Philippines and we must go on, life must go on, the Philippines must go on,” Raul Manalo said.

Jimmy Muñoz, meanwhile, asked fellow Filipinos back home to be strong and positive.

“Sa atin naman eh gumaganda ang takbo kaya kailangan natin positive. May negative din pero remain positive. Andiyan ang ikauunlad ng ating bayan. Kung palagi tayong magsisiraan walang mangyayari sa atin. Kailangan maging positive tayo, strong determination,” Munoz suggested.

(The country condition is improving so we should think positive. There is also negative side but try to remain positive. Our country's growth lies there. If we continue to snipe at each other, we'll end up going nowhere so we need to stay positive.)

One Filipino, meanwhile, suggested that Estrada should concentrated instead on using his appeal to the masses for the good of the majority.

“Sinabi niya na hindi siya kakandidato pero ang lakas niya sa tao eh magagamit n'ya. 'Yung tinatawag nating charisma. Di ba? (He said that he'll no longer run for public office but he can use his charisma for other purposes),” said Jun Ortega.

Others, however, said they were have not moved on and will greatly favor Estrada going back to jail if he fails to return the money of the poor.

“Bakit 'di natin parusahan ang nagkasala para malaman natin na may justice sa atin. Eh moro-moro lang 'yon eh, palabas lang 'yon eh. Samantalang maliwanag sa Ombudsman na nagkaroon siya ng pagkakasala. Dapat siyang parusahan para 'di siya tularan,” Teddy Malaca said.

(Why not punish those who committed a crime so that the world will know that there is justice in the Philippines? It's like a stage play, a set-up. It's plain to see that there he committed a crime. He should be punished so that others will not emulate him.)

On the other hand, there were those who said they still believe in Mrs. Arroyo’s governance and trust that her executive clemency to Estrada is all in good faith.

“Sa akin, lahat ng tao sa Pilipinas may prinsipyo para sa bayan. Kung minsan ang nakaupo sa kanyang posisyon maganda ang kanyang layunin (All the people in the Philippines have principles for what is good for the country. There are those in power who have good intentions),” Remi Balmaceda said.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

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