Cebu lawyers join call for Estrada’s resignation

CEBU — Lawyers in this province are joining the united opposition in demanding the resignation of President Estrada.

This developed as the Ouanos of Mandaue City do not seem to agree on the call for Mr. Estrada’s ouster.

The lawyers’ group formally launched the other day the Caucus of Lawyers for Erap’s Abrupt Resignation (CLEAR), which was formed upon the initiative of officials and members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ Cebu chapter.

Gabriel Ingles, CLEAR convenor and immediate past president of the IBP-Cebu chapter, said the organization will reach out to various lawyers’ organizations in calling for a good, honest and competent leader.

Ingles is confident that CLEAR will get the real sentiments of lawyers on the controversies hounding the Estrada administration.

Although it is open to the impeachment process, CLEAR believes that Estrada’s resignation is the most urgent legal remedy to the political and economic crises.

"Lawyers, as leaders, cannot stand idly by to witness the destruction of our economy caused by the unbridled graft and corruption in our government," Ingles said.

The group, however, said it is not endorsing anybody to succeed Mr. Estrada.

Former Mandaue mayor Alfredo Ouano also added his voice to various organizations that are already calling for an end to the Estrada presidency.

Ouano’s stand on the jueteng scandal runs counter to that of his own son, incumbent Mayor Thadeo Ouano, who still supports the President.

The elder Ouano was among the prominent Cebuanos who met Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Mactan Airport when she arrived here last Friday morning.

The young Thadeo said he respects the pronouncement of his father, an original member of the Lakas-NUCD. The incumbent mayor is identified with the administration’s Lapian ng Masang Pilipino.

During his recent visit here, Mr. Estrada assured Mayor Thadeo and other city officials of the immediate approval of the bill seeking to segregate Mandaue into a separate congressional district.

The House of Representatives approved the bill, authored by sixth district Rep. Efren Herrera, last July. — Freeman News Service