Sen Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada
I would like to thank this administration, most specifically Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for granting the pardon of President Joseph Estrada and this is coming from the heart.
Former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino
I am happy for former President Joseph Estrada and his family. I pray, that as a free man, former president Estrada will harness the lessons he has learned from the sufferings he had endured and continue to serve our less fortunate brothers and sisters.
Senate President Manuel Villar
I join the great number of Filipinos in welcoming the executive clemency extended to the former president by the Arroyo government. Despite the Sandiganbayan conviction, President Estrada remains in the heart of the masses.
The executive clemency extended to former President Joseph Estrada is a great step towards reconciliation, which is vital to our country’s unhindered passage to progress. This act emphasizes the value of humane consideration and compassionate justice.
President Estrada has suffered enough, having been incarcerated for more than six years. The pardon will give him time to care for his ailing mother, Doña Mary, who needs his solace and love at this most opportune time.
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero
Masaya ako para kay Pangulong Erap. Marapat lang at binabati ko ang dating Pangulo sa kalayaang muling makakamtan niya. Nawa'y makapiling niya ang kanyang ina habang nagpapagaling mula sa kanyang karamdaman.
Sen. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal
The executive clemency of Erap is a double edged sword. While I commiserate with President Erap's plight, the issuance of the executive clemency by Mrs. Arroyo at a time when she and Mike Arroyo are being hit by revelations of graft and corruption, particularly the new exposé of Joey de Venecia today is a media stunt to ensure only her political survival. The pardon of Erap as definitely used as a political weapon to diffuse present controversies. We must not stop pursuing all investigations on the graft and corruption of Mrs. Arroyo. I hope that the efforts of the minority opposition in the House of Representatives to impeach Mrs. Arroyo will not be compromised.
Senator Richard Gordon
If we are going to show the world that we are for the rule of law, then there should be no pardon for Estrada. from Agence France Presse
Akbayan Rep. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros
By granting pardon to Erap, GMA has undermined rule of law. This is a political insurance for her and she hopes that the same privilege would be extended to her once she face accountability for her own crimes. She trampled upon the indignation that she used to get herself into power. Let us mark this day as a day of impunity, a setback against our struggle against corruption.
Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño
Pardon granted to Erap smacks of an opportunist political maneuver rather than a magnanimous act of justice. The least PGMA should have demanded was an admission of guilt nd some acts of remorse and/or restitution. The executive privilege of granting pardon has been reduced to a crass political move to neutralize PGMA's foes at this critical time of her administration.
Renato Reyes, secretary general Bagong Alyansang Makabayan
The early pardon of Estrada by PGMA is timed to blunt the negative impact of the damning testimony of Joey de Venecia vs Mrs. Arroyo and FG Mike Arroyo. The motive for granting the pardon is utterly self-serving for Mrs. Arroyo. we are wary of the motives of Mrs. Arroyo in granting the pardon.. Gloria is simply out to neutralize her political rivals. Expect more political tension to arise because Mrs. Arroyo's allies may not accept what PGMA did.
Alberto Lim, executive director Makati Business Club
We are disappointed especially with the timing dahil maraming nangyayaring gulo ngayon like the revelation today of JDV III at the senate ZTE hearing at ang issue ng suhulan.
Black and White Movement
Message is clear. You can steal all you want and get away with it. Nananawagan kami sa lahat ng nanunungkulan sa pamahalaan na samantalahin na at magnakaw ng husto. Tutal naman, madaling makakuha ng pardon. Ginagago tayo ni GMA.
President Arroyo's order granting pardon to ex-president Estrada
