Former President Fidel Ramos on Executive Clemency

Former President Fidel Ramos warns President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that granting Former President Joseph Estrada an executive clemency will be the start of her downfall.

Former President Ramos says that "It's a national calamity..."

Former President Estrada son Senator Jinggoy Estrada reacted that Former President Ramos should not claim to be righteous because the greatest scam, graft and corruption erupted during his term as president. Sen. Estrada was refering to the Centennial Project of Fidel Ramos.

Theories behind the Executive Clemency

• To divert news from Joey's revelation regarding the broadband deal to Former President Joseph Estrada's pardon.

Last Thursday, Joey de Venecia revealed during the senate hearing two interesting things. One, he quoted someone as saying that First Gentleman Arroyo is interested in the ZTE Broadband deal because of the $70 million fund. He also revealed, that President Arroyo asked Sec. Neri why he did not accept the money? Also, she instructed Sec. Neri that if he does not wants the money then just approve the deal.

• President Arroyo feels threaten and insecure about her hold in the administration officials because of Speaker Joey de Venecia.

Speaker Jose de Venecia refused to endorsed the impeachment complains against President Arroyo because it's just a 3-page impeachment complain. Lately, Speaker Jose de Venecia calls for the administration to cleanse itself. With this stand, observers are theorizing that President Arroyo must have felt insecure about the loyalty of her allies. Thus, there's the payout issue. So, President Arroyo might have strike a deal with Former President Estrada to help her in negotiating the opposition.

• Just in case President Arroyo finished her term as president and she gets into the same situation as Former President Estrada then she will also be given an executive clemency.

With the impeachment complain hounding President Arroyo, it is more likely that she will be charged and sentenced similar to her predecessor, Former President Estrada. Thus, she granted executive clemency so she'll be given the same just in case she gets convicted.

Former President Estrada granted Executive Clemency

Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday has granted former President Joseph Estrada an executive clemency. And, former President Estrada is set to go to Malacañang today to sign the papers accepting the executive clemency.