Guilty! That is the verdict against former Philippine President Erap Estrada rendered by the criminal court specially created to try graft and corruption cases in the Philippines. Erap was convicted of plunder for having amassed millions of pesos by abusing his power to manipulate the stock market and serving as the godfather receiver of jueteng money. The Erap camp dismisses the conviction as politically influenced to justify the legitimacy of the Arroyo presidency. But if you consider the list of the witnesses other than the controversial Chavit Singson, Erap’s admitted jueteng collector who spilled the beans, there were honest to goodness professionals who had no ax to grind.

You would think that this would call for a national celebration. You fight graft and corruption by going after the big fish to show that you are really serious. The government has finally nailed the biggest fish who was gobbling pesos like a piranha. And what is the reaction of the people and their leaders? Forgive and forget.

Jinggoy Estrada, the senator son of Erap Estrada lambasted the verdict arguing that there was no basis to convict his father of plunder because no government money was involved. Jueteng money is not government funds, therefore Erap did not steal taxpayer money. If you agree with Jinggoy’s logic, you can accept a president who would take a percentage of the collections of pimps in the prostitution business. But I can understand his anger and disappointment with the verdict. He is the son and he has gone a long way because of his father.

Armida Seguion Reyna however has no relation to Erap. Once upon a time, she was a kundiman songstress hosting a musical TV show whose signature song was “Aahitan Kita.” She has since ventured into movie producing. She also argues like an attorney who did not pass the Bar, that there was no plunder because only jueteng money was involved. The reaction of many intelligent people holding the reins of leadership in the national arena tell us that after all is said and done, they will not let one of their own rot into solitary oblivion. Many senators seem to dismiss the gravity of the criminal conviction and even those who were responsible in kicking Erap out of Malacanang do not even talk of vindication. They have since reconciled with Erap and are now soliciting his endorsement in their political runs.

And what about President Gloria Arroyo? Well, she has authorized his Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, to start talks with Erap about a possible pardon. Arroyo is about to make a mockery of the conviction. Puno is being qouted in the papers as saying that an absolute pardon for Erap would allow the deposed president to keep his loot. Wow! Let’s then give back the millions of frozen money to the Marcoses. We are a Christian nation. We are a forgiving people. Blessed are the thieves for they are still children of God. And let’s get on with this game called graft and corruption. Does Erap even deserve a pardon? Korean and Japanese politicians disgraced by graft and corruption convictions kneel and cry for forgiveness from their own people. Erap has the arrogance to say that he will only consider a pardon without preconditions, that he will never admit guilt. He even wants to dictate the terms of his pardon, no admission of guilt, etc., etc. I don’t know if he included no forfeiture of his mistresses.

President Arroyo seems to think that Erap can go home now. She is setting a precedent. A president should give deference to a former president. She gets Erap off the hook. Someday no former president will ever go to jail, she hopes.