Gag order doesn’t stop Erap from taunting government

Defying a court order, former President Joseph Estrada took the opportunity to raise political issues against the Arroyo administration during the centennial celebration of San Juan town yesterday.

Estrada taunted the administration during his one-day furlough in a speech after accepting the "Most Outstanding Citizen" award of San Juan.

"I am disturbed and apprehensive for the future of our country," Estrada said.

"I regret that I have to raise unpleasant and unhappy topics like this... as I challenge you today in our celebration, I challenge you to be outstanding and put in your personal agenda, the agenda of a nation seeking redemption and renewal," he said.

The former leader enumerated the "sins" of the Arroyo administration which, according to Estrada, had "brought us embarrassment internationally."

Estrada cited the recent report of the Hong Kong Political and Economic Risk Consultancy that listed the Philippines as the most corrupt country in Asia.

"Recently, too, we have received international attention not because of our progress or advances, but because of extrajudicial killings. Because we have been identified as the most dangerous country for journalists and members of the media profession. Cheating in our country becomes a way of life," Estrada said during his 30-minute speech.

He said the recent nursing examination scandal also attractefd international attention.

The Sandiganbayan Special Division allowed Estrada to attend the celebration but was ordered not to issue statements or engage in political activities.

Placed under house arrest at his rest house in Tanay, Rizal for plunder charges, Estrada maintains his innocence.

While under detention for almost six years, Estrada said he was "disturbed and apprehensive" of the series of controversies rocking the country under the administration of President Arroyo.

He claimed twice refusing the offer for him to leave the country before he was charged with plunder.

"I refused the offer twice. Because I know I am innocent. And I am prepared to suffer the consequences. I told them I cannot leave the country and leave the 11 million people who voted for me," he said.

Estrada maintained that he would never do what former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Jocjoc" Bolante did.

Bolante was accused of diverting fertilizer funds to the campaign kitty of President Arroyo during the 2004 presidential elections. Bolante had sought political asylum in the United States but reportedly lost his petition.

"I’m not like their allies that after committing crimes they flee the country. Was that Jocjoc Bolante?" he said.

"Cheating in our country becomes a way of life," Estrada added, alluding to allegations, denied by Mrs. Arroyo, that she cheated in the 2004 election.

Estrada claimed he probably committed mistakes during his long career as a public servant, but "I can assure you corruption is never one of them."

On the other hand, Chief Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio said the Sandiganbayan will determine if Estrada violated the order against making any political statements during the furlough.

"It’s up to the courts to decide. We already told them that it’s bound to happen," he said.

Villa-Ignacio said Estrada would be cited for contempt for violating the court order.

But to penalize the former leader in contempt would be useless since he is already in jail, he added.

Villa-Ignacio said Estrada’s defense lawyers could be reprimanded by the court for allowing the deposed leader to make the statements.

He conceded though the court may simply allow this to happen since Estrada is acknowledged to be a leader of the political opposition.

Besides, the court might interpret Estrada’s actions as an exercise of his freedom of speech and expression, Villa-Ignacio said.

Mayor JV Ejercito, Estrada’s son, stressed the affair is not a political gathering but a celebration of the 100 years of San Juan as a town.

He said opposition senatorial candidates did not appear at the gathering although they were invited.

Though Estrada made some political statements, Ejercito said the former president should not be punished further since he is already in detention.

"I think the speech was generally made on how to make use of the spirit, on helping rebuild this nation. You cannot avoid this since he is only stating the truth," he said.

Estrada was forced to step down amid massive anti-corruption protests in January 2001. He was arrested three months later on charges of receiving about P4 billion in payoffs from illegal gambling operations, tobacco tax kickbacks and commissions. He was also accused of perjury for allegedly falsely declaring his assets.

Estrada denied any wrongdoing and accused Mrs. Arroyo of conspiring with the country’s elite, Roman Catholic church leaders and some senior military officers to oust him. – With AP