Press Release
September 3, 2007

TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW WITH
SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

On Erap verdict

SJEE: Based on the merits of the case, we are one hundred percent confident that we will be acquitted.

On pardon

SJEE: Pardon is unacceptable for us. The same way we are also thankful to the people for their love for President Estrada. Base sa survey na inilabas kamakailan, halos lahat ng Pilipino ay gusto nang palabasin si Pangulong Erap.

Kasi kapag in-accept mo ung pardon, kailangan may conviction. Pag kinonvict ka, that means you're guilty. Hindi naman kami payag nun, dahil wala naman talaga kaming kasalanan.

If ever a guilty verdict will be handed down by the Sandiganbayan, we will exert all legal remedies. Even if it means going to the Supreme Court.

Majority of the Filipino people want President Erap out of jail. We are very grateful. We feel very, very elated sa kinalabasan ng survey. As I had mentioned earlier, and in behalf of the family, ung pardon is unacceptable to us. Kasi kapag binigyan ni Gloria ng pardon, ibig sabihin guilty kami. We are not guilty of any crime, much less plunder.

On latest corruption survey on GMA

SJEE: Bakit maliit lang? Dapat ninety percent.

Paano pinaghahandaan ng pamilya Estrada ang nalalapit na verdict?

SJEE: Wala. Kahapon nandun ako sa Tanay. We are ready if ever guilty or not. Dahil wala naman talaga kaming kasalanan.

Ano ang nararamdaman ng pamilya?

SJEE: Wala, normal lang. Kung saka-sakaling guilty verdict ang ipataw kay Pangulong Erap, we shall exhaust all legal remedies, even if it means going to the Supreme Court. Wag lang may makikialam. Pag walang nakialam, sigurado, one hundred percent acquittal.

Nakakatulog pa po ng mahimbing si Pangulong Erap?

SJEE: Oo naman. Kaya lang there have been some disturbing reports na umaabot sa amin na gusto ni GMA na ma-convict si Pangulong Erap and be pardoned immediately. But time and again, the family's stand there is that the pardon is unacceptable to us.

On possible public unrest

SJEE: Hindi natin alam. Majority of the Filipino people want President Estrada out.

Sentiment of Estrada loyalists

SJEE: Syempre gusto nila ma-acquit. Walang kaguluhan. According sa survey, even ung class A, B, C, majority of them want President Erap out of jail. Hindi ko hawak ang damdamin ng taong bayan.

Sa araw ng promulgation, buong pamilya

SJEE: Of course. Syempre. Kasama ako dun, eh.

Kasama na kayo sa hahatulan?

SJEE: Of course. Kaming tatlo. Si President Erap, ako at si Atty. Serapio.

Ako naman sa kaso ko, wala silang ebidensya eh. Ako confident dahil binigyan na ako ng bail ng Sandiganbayan four years ago. And that was upheld by the Supreme Court.

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