Judgment Day
The long-awaited decision on the Estrada plunder case will be handed down Wednesday, and everybody is awaiting it with the proverbial bated breath. The accused, former President Joseph Estrada, has been having sleepless nights, and his situation has been aggravated by worry over the condition of his ailing 102-year-old mother. The nation just wants to have a closure to this highly divisive case.Either way the case ends -- conviction or acquittal -- the government expects some civil disturbance to take place, and is preparing for it. The civil society groups that were largely responsible for Estrada’s fall from power in 2001 cannot see how the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court can return a verdict of not guilty when the damning evidence which were presented with crystal-clear clarity at the impeachment trial of the former president in the Senate were also the evidence presented at the court trial.
The defense contends that the prosecution has failed to prove that Estrada is guilty beyond reasonable doubt. But even some of the former president’s leading lawyers, like former senator Rene Saguisag, seem to be resigned to a guilty verdict. Saguisag said, “We don’t expect a lower court (the Sandiganbayan) to tell the Supreme Court that it is wrong.”
A verdict of not guilty could give rise to some complications, including the possibility of Estrada claiming the presidency back from Ms Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, although he has said he would not do that. The fact is that his unserved portion of the six-year presidential term has lapsed, and there is no way that he can turn back the hands of time.
A verdict of guilty could inflame the supporters of Estrada who still wields considerable political clout, and could spark a repeat of “EDSA 3,” the rising of the enraged masses who came to within inches of taking over Malacañang. The military and the police have said they are prepared for a similar eventuality on Wednesday.
Months before the scheduled promulgation of the decision, calls were made for the grant of pardon to Estrada in the event he is convicted. But Estrada himself has said he would not accept a pardon for that would practically mean an admission of guilt. He said he would appeal a possible decision of conviction to the Supreme Court.
A grant of presidential pardon that would be almost simultaneous with the handing down of a guilty verdict would send the wrong signal to the nation and the world. It would seem as if the government is not serious in punishing grafters and corrupt officials.
The best way to put a closure to Estrada plunder case is just to await the decision of the Sandiganbayan and to let justice and the rule of law take their course. Violence and extraordinary measures have no place in a democratic, civilized society.
Victorious
MANILA, Philippines -- They buried Luciano Pavarotti, the global opera superstar, on Saturday after a final, tear-stained standing ovation at somber funeral rites in his hometown of Modena, Italy. Death has stilled the live voice of one of the best tenors the world has ever known, but his recorded voice -- and his memory -- will live on for as long as recording devices work, and for as long as the world loves good music.
Superlatives have been used to describe Pavarotti, the best loved and most celebrated tenor since Caruso: “one of the world’s greatest voices,” “best-selling classical artist” (100 million records sold since the 1960s) and “an enormous crossover celebrity” whose appeal went far beyond the confines of classical opera. But more than a singer, Pavarotti was a humanitarian, a charismatic personality, a real human being.
Pavarotti took opera out of the stuffed-shirt confines of the opera houses of the elite, and by singing with such artists as Bono, Elton John and the Spice Girls brought opera to the masses and even the hiphop set. He captured a global audience for opera when he sang the aria “Nessun Dorma” (Nobody Sleeps) from Puccini’s “Turandot” for football’s 1990 World Cup finals. The highly successful “Three Tenors” concerts he had with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras reached 1.5 billion people, and filled stadiums.
The last line of “Nessun Dorma” goes: “All’alba vincero” -- “At dawn I will be victorious.” Truly, Pavarotti has been victorious, his voice has conquered death, and he will be remembered for as long as the world loves good music.
