Jinggoy, JV: Respect SC ruling on Erap disqualification case

MANILA, Philippines - Detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday urged critics to respect the decision of the Supreme Court (SC), which upheld the constitutionality of Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s bid in the 2013 elections.

Estrada’s half-brother, Sen. JV Ejercito, also lauded the SC decision dismissing the disqualification cases filed by lawyer Alicia Risos Vidal and former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

“I am happy that the SC gave the importance to the voice of the people. They respected the mandate that was give as duly elected Mayor of Manila,” Ejercito said.

In a statement from hid detention cell at Camp Crame, Estrada said the SC move further strengthened his trust and confidence on the country’s justice system.

“The SC will remain independent as it is.  Kung walang maniniwala sa justice system, paano ang bansa natin?” he asked.

“It was very clear from the very start that the pardon given to him was unconditional. It was an unconditional pardon. Mahirap na siguro i-reverse ng Supreme Court yung pardon na ibinigay ni GMA.  You always have to read the dispositive portion, not the ‘whereas’ clause,” Estrada added.

Estrada, who is locked up at Camp Crame in pork barrel-related charges, said he has “submitted myself to the rule of law as what we did before.”

No quid pro quo

Estrada also doused reports that the SC decision upholding the mayor’s election as Manila mayor was part of a quid pro quo from the Aquino administration.

“Walang ganon. There is no talks that this is part of any quid pro quo,” he said.

Estrada thinks that the SC decision on his father's case will not stop the attacks against the political opposition.

“Up to now, the target has been the opposition. Up to now, that is my belief,” he said, noting that only three of them have been charged in relation to the pork barrel scam.

Apart from Estrada, Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon Revilla are also detained at Camp Crame for plunder charges.

Triumph for Manila

Estrada has described the SC move as “a triumph of the will of the Filipino masses especially the electorate of the City of Manila to choose their rightful leader.”

“We know that this petition filed by a losing opponent was merely a ploy to derail his plans of transforming Manila into a dynamic and progressive metropolis, which my father is now doing,” he added.

Estrada is hopeful that the “recent decision of the highest court of the land puts to final rest all questions and uncertainties over the pardon given to my father President Mayor Joseph Estrada and his eligibility to run for public office.”

With the constitutionality issue now put to rest, the senator said his father can further focus on taking care of his constituents and restore the people’s faith in the Manila government.

“And now that this issue has been settled, let us focus on helping the local government of Manila led by President Mayor Estrada to succeed in the next 18 months in restoring the glory and grandeur of our beloved capital city which were lost due to years of mismanagement and negligence,” Estrada added.