Malacañang has extended its birthday greeting to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, but turns down his wish for former President Arroyo to be given house arrest.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said it is up to the court, not the Palace, to decide on issues related to the case of the former leader.
“We wish former President and Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada a happy birthday],” Coloma said in Filipino over government radio.
“On his birthday wish, it is prudent to let the court make the decision on this matter. It is the job of the prosecutors of the Department of Justice to respond in case a petition is filed before the court,” he added.
Estrada turned 78 last Sunday and made three wishes, including one for Arroyo’s house arrest. The former leader said people should be compassionate towards Arroyo, currently detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center pending plunder and poll sabotage charges, since she is a woman.
Estrada was given pardon by then President Arroyo in October 2007 shortly after he was convicted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan.
As for his other birthday wishes, Estrada expressed hope that there will be peace in Mindanao soon as well as that the glory days of Manila will be restored. (Genalyn D. Kabiling).
Manila Bulletin
