Malacañang denies talks for Estrada house arrest

Malacañang denied yesterday that the Arroyo administration was negotiating with leaders of pro-Estrada rallyists for the ousted president’s transfer from jail to house arrest in his residence on No. 1 Polk st. in North Greenhills, San Juan.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao told reporters yesterday Estrada’s detention is a non-negotiable matter outside the jurisdiction of the Palace.

"The objective that is turning out, as we see it, is their (pro-Estrada rallyists) minimum objective is perhaps for the release of Estrada, which is impossible... unconstitutional," he said.

Tiglao said "certain opposition leaders" tried to negotiate with Malacañang to appease the growing number of rallyists in front of Our Lady of EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City, whose moderately peaceful protest began April 25, the day of Estrada’s arrest.

"We would like to emphasize there will never be any formal negotiation if what they (pro-Estrada rallyists) demand for is the release of Estrada," he said. "We cannot negotiate that matter because it is the order of the court."

On the other hand, Press Secretary Noel Cabrera said "certain groups" have proposed that Estrada be placed under house arrest.

"But there is no such provision in our laws that allows for such house arrest," he said.

Ironically, the proposal for putting Estrada under house arrest was first broached by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. weeks before the deposed president’s much-publicized arrest.

Cabrera said the Arroyo administration continues to implement "maximum tolerance" in allowing pro-Estrada rallyists to express their grievances.

"As long as there is no violence, they don’t violate the laws," he said. "What we’re merely saying is once they violate the laws, the government will quietly act and this administration is prepared to move (against pro-Estrada rallyists), especially the Armed Forces." –Marichu Villanueva