The wrecking crew

Former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga, head of Kilosbayan and founder of Bantay Katarungan, has branded as "baseless and unfair" former President Estrada’s repeated repeated assaults on the Supreme Court and the Sandiganbayan. He said he has been criticizing some decisions of the two courts, but Kilosbayan and Bantay Katarungan  felt "it is our duty to expose the false imputations of the former president,  aimed at wrecking,  for his own  personal benefit, our system of justice."

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In his statement, Senator Salonga noted that Erap said the Supreme Court should have  dropped the plunder  charges against his son, former  Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, and that the latter should have been allowed to go out on bail. Erap, in his press release,  alleged that  the denial of Jinggoy’s plea to post bail "was the last straw."

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According to Senator Salonga, what Erap was demanding cannot be done by the Supreme Court under the rule of law,  for the simple reason  that his son has been charged as a co-conspirator in the plunder charges against Erap. And his son cannot be given bail by the Supreme Court without first going through the proper procedure, which all persons accused of a capital offense must follow. "Mayor Jinggoy must file the corresponding motion to post bail  in the Sandiganbayan, which will then order the  prosecution to prove   that the evidence of guilt is strong, failing which his son  will be entitled to post bail so he can be released from imprisonment," Senator Salonga said.

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Senator Salonga debunked Erap’s claim that it was the rejection of his son’s plea for bail that led him to dismiss his lawyers and state that he has lost his trust in  the present system of justice.  "I do not mind lying," said a wit, "what I hate is inaccuracy." Senator Salonga said that the actual reason behind the dismissal of his lawyers is his desite to make our people forget his damaging admission which surprised his own lawyers.

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Salonga said the three Sandiganbayan justices of the Special Court conducting the trial against Erap are  "the best available choice." On the basis of the records, revealed the former Senator, "the other justices of the Sandiganbayan are about to retire or are disqualified, for one reason or another." And these three, Salonga added, "are actually among the best in the Sandiganbayan – in terms of competence,   moral integrity, independence of mind, dedication and industry."

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Salonga said that the Special Division was created by order of the Supreme Court en banc, on the recommendation of the Oversight Committee, chaired by Senior Justice Josue Bellosillo. He said, "The record shows that the three Justices composing the Special Division are well-qualified from the viewpoint of the Supreme Court and the Sandiganbayan Justices themselves. "Our Bantay Katarungan student monitors of idealism and academic excellence – coming from the law schools of U.P., Ateneo, San Beda, FEU, and Lyceum and who have no vested interests to protect – speak well of the three justices,  "because of their track record, their probity and unassailable competence, their impartiality  and firmness, and their no-nonsense way of conducting the proceedings." 

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Here is a most inspiring essay sent to me by an unknown dreamer, and I would like to share it with you this beautiful Sunday:

I wish for you...
Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart,
Gentle hugs when spirits sag,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Confidence when you doubt,
Faith so that you can believe,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
and love to complete your life.
I asked the Lord to bless you
as I prayed for you today
to guide you and protect you
As you go along your way....
His love is always with you,
His promises are true.
You know He will see us through.
So, when the road you’re traveling on
seems difficult at best
God  will do the rest.

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PULSEBEAT: Gerry Ferro, who works with Caltex Australia Pty. Ltd in Sydney, Australia, with office address at Level 20, MLC Centre, Martin Place, Sydney, wrote to say that they have a Filipino association there called MAFANA (Mauban and Friends at NSW Australia. He would like to contact the MIF, the foundation cited by former Ambassador Rodolfo A. Arizala, for exchange of ideas on projects to implement…. A lady named Ledy (she did not give her family name) wrote to say that she enjoys reading the Thoughts for Today portion of my column.  She says that the Thoughts for Today gives her inspiration and strength in her daily struggles…. Mrs. Lourdes Oeij, writing from Singapore, wondered why the Philippine media failed to give prominent playup to the natural gas discoveries in Tarlac and Malampaya. These spectacular discoveries merited only one day’s news, she said. "Why can’t we write and talk news that explode of confidence, joy and gratitude when blessings come our way?" she said. "And why do we instead love to highlight exploding bombs and gunfire in Southern Philippines?"

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Thoughts For Today:

Wear your happiest face this morning,
and wear it till the night comes.
Influence others to do the same
to make the day one heck of a happy life.

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Thank God for this beautiful morning.
Ask not for an easy day but for His guidance and strength
to enable us to pull through despite great odds.

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My e-mail addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]