09-12-2007, 01:42 PM
I can't be certain for sure. For one, I believe that even if he did take part of the plunder, he has to have associates who are currently out of the issue spectrum, who I believe are the bigger fish in this game. Erap might have something to do with the issue, though I think he is a mere pawn in a grander scheme of things and he's being used as a scapegoat by others who were involved in the issue. As much as I am all for further investigation into the case, a swift resolution to the entire issue is long overdue. So, did he deserve his sentence? I think its an injustice that people didn't fully review his case and the circumstances he was involved in during his presidency and during his alleged "plunder years" so I'd think he'd deserve less.
From a courtroom perspective though, if the case was reviewed thoroughly and objectively, then Erap deserves every moment of the sentence passed.
On the other hand, I think this is a conspiracy on the part of the current administration to promote political stability. For one, the current administration can easily grant a presidential pardon to appease supporters of the former president, in a move that could ultimately bring both the administration and supporters of the former president in good terms with each other.
Second, it is an image boost to foreign investors as convicting a big-time, big-name player shows that the justice system reaches out to the lowest and highest levels of society. With the conviction of a ex-movie actor, big-time politician, and ex-president shows investors that no-one is out of reach from the law (the consistency of the justice system's performance has yet to be proven effective however).
One thing I can assure you of (Or at least, have a good amount of confidence that would happen), foreign exchange rates and our stock market would rise higher than levels recorded prior to the announcement of Erap's plunder case. This little charade gives at least some confidence to investors that the justice system "works". Though the consequences of such actions if were indeed deliberate on the part of the administration, are questionable. Also, GMA might consider giving a presidential pardon to the convicted ex-president for reasons I stated earlier, however I would refrain from doing so if it was up to me, as it may encourage further cases of "plunder", and history might repeat itself over time.
From a courtroom perspective though, if the case was reviewed thoroughly and objectively, then Erap deserves every moment of the sentence passed.
On the other hand, I think this is a conspiracy on the part of the current administration to promote political stability. For one, the current administration can easily grant a presidential pardon to appease supporters of the former president, in a move that could ultimately bring both the administration and supporters of the former president in good terms with each other.
Second, it is an image boost to foreign investors as convicting a big-time, big-name player shows that the justice system reaches out to the lowest and highest levels of society. With the conviction of a ex-movie actor, big-time politician, and ex-president shows investors that no-one is out of reach from the law (the consistency of the justice system's performance has yet to be proven effective however).
One thing I can assure you of (Or at least, have a good amount of confidence that would happen), foreign exchange rates and our stock market would rise higher than levels recorded prior to the announcement of Erap's plunder case. This little charade gives at least some confidence to investors that the justice system "works". Though the consequences of such actions if were indeed deliberate on the part of the administration, are questionable. Also, GMA might consider giving a presidential pardon to the convicted ex-president for reasons I stated earlier, however I would refrain from doing so if it was up to me, as it may encourage further cases of "plunder", and history might repeat itself over time.
