Ousted-president Estrada still much in the news - ROSES AND THORNS by Alejandro R. Roces

President Estrada is no longer president. But he is still very much in the news. There are headline reports of his alleged attempts to flee the country. According to National Bureau of Investigation Director Reynaldo Wycoco, "NBI agents are monitoring all possible exit points, particularly the back door routes." There are also front-page stories about his impending trial. The Supreme Court decision on his no longer being president and, also, loss of immunity from criminal prosecution continue to be in the news. First, because his trial will not start till the Supreme Court’s decision becomes executory. But even then, his lawyer is sure to plead for a reconsideration. So chances are that Estrada will not be officially charged till about the last week of March.

But there are also news reports about what will happen after the trial. This is speculation because Estrada has not yet been found guilty by the court. As we have said many times, an accused in our country is supposed to be presumed innocent till proven guilty. But already, jailers have shown great concern as to what to do with Estrada if and when he is sentenced. The Quezon City jail, they say, is too small to accommodate him. And there is fear that Erap supporters may take drastic steps to release him from jail.

And so now there are news reports that if and when he is convicted for plunder, he will be placed in an island like Napoleon Bonaparte who was exiled in Saint Helena till he died. One suggestion was one of the islands that form part of Corregidor. Another is an islet somewhere in North Luzon.

We believe that all this is still far-fetched because Estrada’s trial, whatever the outcome, will be a long one. The thing however is that the crime that he is being charged with is non-bailable. So he will suffer detention as soon as the case is officially filed in court. So putting him in an island is out of the question. That would involve a long trip every time there is a hearing.

Estrada’s trial for plunder will attract people’s attention even much more than his impeachment. We understand that some quarters are moving to have it televised. One thing is certain, the nation’s attention will be rivetted on the trial and we have more pressing socio-economic problems to really be concerned about. But, we guess, the show must go on.