Incarceration of Erap should be based on law - ROSES AND THORNS by Alejandro R. Roces

We are very glad that Presidential Spokesman Renato Corona has debunked press reports that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was gauging public opinion on the possible incarceration of deposed president Joseph Estrada in the event that the charges that led to his impeachment finally reach our courts. The loss of immunity from criminal charges of an ex-president is a matter of law and not a question that should be settled on a survey of public sentiment. The matter is now in the hands of the Ombudsman. It is the Ombudsman who will decide the proper legal steps to take on this question.

In the meantime, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Francis Garchitorena has announced that if and when ousted-President Estrada officially receives his warrant of arrest, he will not get any special treatment. He will be sent to the Quezon City jail along with ordinary criminals. The case against him is an unbailable offense so he will be detained immediately. Those who expressed concern about his detention were not really after giving him special treatment. They were just afraid that if he was detained in the Quezon City jail, many pro-Erap groups would hold daily rallies in the jail house and these rallies could easily get out of hand. There were many options suggested including one of the islands off Corregidor. We know that permission is required to hold rallies and we believe that our law-enforcers can cope with this problem.

A pending question is whether the impending trial will be televised or not. Erap has said that he welcomes the trial as it will give him the opportunity to prove his innocence. If he is not guilty of plunder, a televised trial will be to his advantage as it will give everyone the opportunity to witness the trial rather than just read about it from press reports.

The Arabians have a saying, "One hour in doing justice is worth a hundred in prayer." We say that where justice rules, the only true freedom is to obey. For justice is nothing else but truth in action. If you pardon a great offense, you encourage many more. Our renaissance will begin when we give justice to all. The important thing about the coming trial of ex-president Estrada is that it should be based on evidence and fair to both the people and the accused. Let justice be done.