Estrada must prove innocence — poll

Mr. President, read this.

A random tracking opinion poll has revealed that a majority of Filipinos want Mr. Estrada to prove his innocence in the jueteng bribery scandal "through hard evidence."

In the same survey, conducted daily from Nov. 16 to Dec. 3 by Pulse Asia, more and more people also said the President should likewise give "clear and strong proofs that his administration is truly pro-poor." (See chart)

The survey, commissioned by and exclusive to The STAR, has a margin of error of plus or minus six percentage points.

Its objective is to determine how Filipinos view the different political issues concerning the nation as the jueteng scandal drags on. Three hundred Metro Manila residents are polled daily.

The respondents were asked: "What are the most important changes or actions, if any, which the President should undertake now?" They were allowed to choose two of eight options outlined in the survey.

Aside from proving his innocence and pro-poor image, the respondents were asked if Mr. Estrada should:

• "Be more careful in choosing people who will be his friends and frequent company;" 28.52 percent.

• "Try to change his personal life to make it more morally upright;" 20.29 percent.

• "Try to change some members of his Cabinet;" 19.58 percent.

• "Change his style and habits of work as a President;" 18.70 percent.

• "Prepare to leave Malacañang as President;" 15.94 percent

• Or if he "does not have to undertake any changes or actions now."

Since the start of the survey, the number of people who chose the six other options mentioned above either declined or remained unchanged during the past days.

The survey results impeachment trial jibes with Pulse Asia’s findings that most Filipinos prefer to see Mr. Estrada ousted through an impeachment trial rather than by forced resignation.

Felipe Miranda, a political analyst who heads the survey organization, said Filipinos want an impeachment trial because a forced resignation would allow Mr. Estrada to step down without answering the jueteng scandal allegations against him.

Upon the advice of his lawyers, Mr. Estrada decided not to take the stand, to the disappointment of prosecutors. He earlier vowed repeatedly to answer the allegations against him "point by point."

Prosecutors were hoping to pounce on the gaffe-prone President, who earlier admitted that jueteng bosses funneled bribe money into a bank account of his charity foundation – and that he did not return the money or notify the police.

Mr. Estrada’s no-show at his impeachment trial is seen an attempt to control the damage wrought by his admission, which reportedly shocked his lawyers.