Villar hints he’s sorry for role in impeachment of Estrada - Malaya 07.27.2006
SENATE President Manuel Villar yesterday hinted at remorse for "railroading" the impeachment process against President Joseph Estrada in 2000 when he was Speaker.
Villar, in a television interview, said he has been talking with Estrada and has visited the latter’s rest house in Tanay, Rizal, a couple of times to correct "certain things that should have not happened." He did not elaborate.
"Wala namang makukuha noon kung ano mangyayari after five years. History lamang ang makapagsasabi. History will be judge," he said.
He lamented that Estrada has been in jail for too long.
"Five years nang nakakulong ang Pangulo, hindi na rin tama yun," Villar said. "Hindi pa rin naman siya nako-convict."
Villar said he was grateful to the deposed leader, and Senators Loi Ejercito-Estrada and Jinggoy Estrada for supporting his bid for the Senate presidency without demanding something in return.
Villar sent the articles of impeachment to the Senate against Estrada despite calls from Estrada supporters in the House for plenary discussion.
The impeachment trial at the Senate was overtaken by Edsa 2 in January 2001 which catapulted then Vice President Gloria Arroyo to power.
Rene Saguisag, counsel for Estrada, yesterday called on prosecutors to withdraw the perjury charge to save face as he said the case has no basis.
The prosecution accused Estrada of lying when he said in his 1998 statement of assets and liabilities that his net worth was only P38 million.
It said Estrada failed to declare his investments in First LPL Land Syndication Inc., Asis Garments Inc., 24K Foods Inc., Prime Entertainment Productions Inc., Alpha Funds Inc., Electronics Sentry Inc., FELT Food Services Inc., All Hot Soup Inc., and AD and E Food Inc.
Saguisag said that Estrada was able show that the companies which were not included in his 1998 SAL had been closed down years before. The others were included in the "investments" entry.
Estrada also admitted the existence of bank accounts in his name in Asia United Bank containing P548,000; Keppel Bank with P44.2 million; and Security Bank with P12.3 million but he clarified that the last two bank deposits contained campaign contributions to his former political party, Pwersa ng Masa, hence these could not be included in his SAL.
At yesterday’s hearing, Saguisag again presented defense witness Lorna Dumlao, Social Security System membership section head, who corroborated Estrada’s statement that First LPL Land Syndication Inc. and Alpha Funds were recorded to have suspended their employer contributions in 1992 and 1997 respectively. – Dennis Gadil and Peter J.G. Tabingo
Villar, in a television interview, said he has been talking with Estrada and has visited the latter’s rest house in Tanay, Rizal, a couple of times to correct "certain things that should have not happened." He did not elaborate.
"Wala namang makukuha noon kung ano mangyayari after five years. History lamang ang makapagsasabi. History will be judge," he said.
He lamented that Estrada has been in jail for too long.
"Five years nang nakakulong ang Pangulo, hindi na rin tama yun," Villar said. "Hindi pa rin naman siya nako-convict."
Villar said he was grateful to the deposed leader, and Senators Loi Ejercito-Estrada and Jinggoy Estrada for supporting his bid for the Senate presidency without demanding something in return.
Villar sent the articles of impeachment to the Senate against Estrada despite calls from Estrada supporters in the House for plenary discussion.
The impeachment trial at the Senate was overtaken by Edsa 2 in January 2001 which catapulted then Vice President Gloria Arroyo to power.
Rene Saguisag, counsel for Estrada, yesterday called on prosecutors to withdraw the perjury charge to save face as he said the case has no basis.
The prosecution accused Estrada of lying when he said in his 1998 statement of assets and liabilities that his net worth was only P38 million.
It said Estrada failed to declare his investments in First LPL Land Syndication Inc., Asis Garments Inc., 24K Foods Inc., Prime Entertainment Productions Inc., Alpha Funds Inc., Electronics Sentry Inc., FELT Food Services Inc., All Hot Soup Inc., and AD and E Food Inc.
Saguisag said that Estrada was able show that the companies which were not included in his 1998 SAL had been closed down years before. The others were included in the "investments" entry.
Estrada also admitted the existence of bank accounts in his name in Asia United Bank containing P548,000; Keppel Bank with P44.2 million; and Security Bank with P12.3 million but he clarified that the last two bank deposits contained campaign contributions to his former political party, Pwersa ng Masa, hence these could not be included in his SAL.
At yesterday’s hearing, Saguisag again presented defense witness Lorna Dumlao, Social Security System membership section head, who corroborated Estrada’s statement that First LPL Land Syndication Inc. and Alpha Funds were recorded to have suspended their employer contributions in 1992 and 1997 respectively. – Dennis Gadil and Peter J.G. Tabingo
posted by brodkaster43 at Huwebes, Hulyo 27, 2006
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