Bishop to Erap: Move on, forget comeback

At the Mass held for deposed President Joseph Estrada’s 69th birthday yesterday, a bishop apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in his ouster five years ago but told him to move on and relinquish ideas of returning to power.

In his homily during the Mass at St. Peter’s Church along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias asked forgiveness from the former president for the role played by bishops and priests in the EDSA II people power revolt in January 2001 that led to his ouster. Tobias urged Estrada to forgive the Church, move forward and put his wealth to better use.

"I hope you can forgive the Church for what happened to you... In the end, I hope you have come to terms with us bishops and priests," Tobias said.

"Your personal life is a lesson to everyone... You earned the distinction of bowing out (from) power to prevent bloodshed," he added. "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, walk and move on, Mr. President, for the sake of the country."

In an interview after the Mass, Tobias explained that he asked for forgiveness on behalf of the Catholic Church as the uprising was spearheaded by Church leaders. He maintained though that the people did the right thing at that time.

In a speech he delivered during the Mass, Estrada said he had already accepted his fate as a detainee in his Tanay, Rizal rest house.

"Earlier, many asked what my birthday wish was. To me, it’s simple: I do not wish for anything but to clear my name," he said, adding that he also wished for the Filipino people to be free of "poverty and want, free from fear and repression, and most of all, unconditionally free to seek justice and truth.

"Sa simula, ang tanong ko sa Maykapal, bakit (At first, I asked God why)? But now I embrace suffering not as a punishment but as a blessing," he said.

Estrada stressed, though, that his "love affair" with his beloved "masa" remains strong even under detention.

Malacañang, however, brushed aside Estrada’s birthday wishes.

"Everyone is free to make a wish. Let’s not put so much meaning to it. I hope he (Estrada) enjoys it," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

The former president arrived at St. Peter’s Church a few minutes before the birthday Mass for him began at 8 a.m. He was greeted by a loud cheer and applause from around 2,000 supporters as he emerged from his vehicle.

Outside the church, large banners reading "Happy Birthday, President Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada" were displayed over a pedestrian crosswalk.

Supporters held an overnight vigil and party outside the church and brought white and orange balloons — orange being the color associated with Estrada.

After the Mass, Estrada led a free feast of some 10,000 servings of pandesal, the Filipino breakfast bread, along with latik for his family, friends and political allies at the basement of the church.

Despite his troubles, the actor-turned-politician has remained popular with the country’s poor, owing to his movie-star image and portrayal of himself as a protector of the underprivileged.

His high school classmates distributed the pandesal while music from a marching band and a festive performance from a group of Ati-Atihan dancers outside the church served as entertainment.

Among Estrada’s guests were former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., former senators Francisco Tatad, Nikki Coseteng, Ernesto Maceda and Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Reps. Imee Marcos and Ronaldo Zamora and colleagues from the movie industry Lorna Tolentino, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Boots Anson-Roa, Eddie Garcia, German Moreno and Robert Arevalo, former Cabinet members Horacio Morales, Alberto Romualdez, Benjamin Diokno, Jose Pardo, Salvador Escudero and Gregorio Vigilar, and even Cielo Macapagal-Salgado, President Arroyo’s estranged politician-sister.

"I wish him well, good luck and good health. Sana matupad ang kanyang mga kahilingan (I hope his wishes will be fulfilled). I hope the trial he is facing will end soon," said actress Susan Roces, whose late husband and former actor Fernando Poe Jr. was mentioned by Estrada in his speech.

Meanwhile, administration lawmakers expressed hope that Estrada become "enlightened" and accept that he can no longer return to Malacañang and that it is better for him to be a leading figure in national reconciliation efforts.

Reps. Exequiel Javier, vice chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendment, and Anthony Miranda, Kampi spokesman, said Estrada’s birthday should be spent soul-searching so that he can reflect on what he could leave his country as a legacy.

Chief Superintendent Renato Valebia of the Quezon City Police District said some 70 policemen were deployed at St. Peter’s Church to ensure the safety of Estrada and his supporters.

The demonstrators were allowed to freely conduct their program but were warned against marching towards the nearby Sandiganbayan courtroom where Estrada proceeded after the celebration to testify at his plunder trial.

"Hindi kami nagpunta dito para mag-rally kundi nandito kami dahil nais naming ipabatid ang taos puso naming pagbati sa kanya (We did not come here to stage a rally. We are here to greet him)," said Sadam Bonifacio, of the Union of the Masses for Democracy and Justice (UMDJ).

Benjamin Franco, of Kasamang Pilipino, said they were happy to be able to participate in Estrada’s birthday celebration. — With Mike Frialde, Aurea Calica, AP