Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has granted full executive pardon to ex-president Joseph “Erap” Estrada yesterday. Erap, as we all know, has been recently convicted of plunder just six weeks before. According to spokesperson Ignacio Bunye, GMA has exercised her executive powers to grant full clemency and that Malacanang has also a policy to grant pardon to prisoners “over 70 years of age”. The ex-president is exactly 70 years old.

DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno was tasked to serve the pardon and went to Tanay, Rizal to give Erap the good news. As of this writing, Erap has already come back to San Juan, his home city (where I also live).

It was really horrendous traffic here kanina as thousands gathered in front of the municipal hall where Erap gave a short speech around 8pm. The entire N.Domingo street was blocked to traffic all the way to the SM Centerpoint bridge.

Too bad, I was not able to get photos since I waited it out at the office, having to file a million forms and do final checks for the player kits for LIVE 2007.

Anyways, check out the video below if you missed it on TV.

The news and decision of president Arroyo was met with mixed reactions. Even those close to her said that it was not a right choice. While others maintained that it was time for the nation to “move on and have reconciliation”.

Of course, the Estrada camp is grateful for this while some critics claim that there seems to be a “hidden deal” or clause that Erap will be freed if he promises not to seek any public office or stay away from politics.

Although such a notion may be difficult for the deposed president since he still has a lot of supporters backing him up and eager to jump (or in some cases “re-jump”) at his popularity just for their own political agendas.

Still, some speculate that it is another ploy by Malacanang to veer the public’s attention away from GMA’s own impeachment… as if the Glorietta blast was not enough of a “conspiracy theory”.

Let’s just hope that this is indeed good for our nation and that real reconciliation will take place. As you may know, there are deeper cases of corruption which escalates to highest echelons of government.

And the public has a right to know. It’s our taxes after all.