Guingona to GMA: Be wary of people still supportive of Estrada

Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona cautioned the seven-day-old Arroyo administration yesterday not to be infected by "bacteria," or people still supportive of disgraced President Joseph Estrada.

Guingona made the remark as militant labor groups warned the Arroyo administration of the reported efforts of 11 senators and other pro-Estrada supporters to block the criminal prosecution of the ousted president.

Guingona stressed that if the new Chief Executive is dead serious in healing and uniting the people, she should exercise caution and should be wary in appointing the deposed president’s loyal supporters to her Cabinet.

He made the appeal during the thanksgiving meeting of the People’s Consultative Assembly (PCA) at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.

"Just like what any good doctor would advise his patients, you must remove the bacteria that caused the wounds and scars. There are still bacteria lurking in the shadows," said Guingona.

He cited Charlie "Atong" Ang, suspected gambling boss and close Estrada friend, as among those he considered as "bacteria." Ang fled the country at the height of the civilian uprising that ousted Estrada.

"But there are still those who have remained here and if we do not get rid of them, they will eat the foundation People Power II has erected," Guingona said.

"Yes, we should heal the wounds, but justice must be tempered with mercy and healing," he added.

Meanwhile, Kilusang Mayo Uno chairman Crispin Beltran said the 11 pro-Estrada senators and other dregs of the Estrada regime are now consolidating their ranks in order to prevent Estrada’s prosecution.

"These groups will deliberately block moves that seek to expedite Estrada’s incarceration, and therefore it is imperative that its members be condemned by the people," Beltran said.

According to Beltran, the senators are plotting to block the filing of criminal charges against Estrada and are even planning to restore him to power.

Beltran advised President Arroyo to hasten the prosecution of Estrada to the fullest extent of the law, explaining that the longer the delay in Estrada’s prosecution, the higher the risks that he will go scot-free.

Recovering Estrada’s ill-gotten wealth and putting him behind bars, Beltran said, should be the top priority of the Arroyo administration.

"The longer Estrada remains physically free and free with his ill-gotten wealth, the greater the chances that his die-hard supporters at the Philippine Senate will be able to create trouble for the new government," he stressed.

Mrs. Arroyo should not hesitate to prosecute Estrada because she can depend on civil society to laud her actions if she will be able to jail Estrada.