ESTRADA REFUTES CLAIM HE VACATED PALACE
MANILA, July 2, 2004 (STAR) By Marichu Villanueva - Deposed President Joseph Estrada vehemently refuted the administration’s claim that he "vacated" his office at Malacañang three years ago, which led President Arroyo to ascend to the presidency.
Estrada was reacting to the caption of his picture in the inaugural program distributed by the Palace on Wednesday during the oath-taking and inaugural of Mrs. Arroyo.
The program was published by the Office of the President and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), copies of which were given to local and foreign guests and members of the media who covered Mrs. Arroyo’s inaugural.
The photos of the past presidents of the country, including Estrada’s, were featured in the 20-page inauguration program. The entry on Estrada on page 19 reads: "After being himself accused of corruption, he was impeached by the House of Representatives and subjected to an unfinished trial in the Senate. In January 2001, Estrada vacated the presidency in the face of popular outcry and the loss of military support,"
Adding fire to Estrada’s lament was the caption on Mrs. Arroyo’s picture which read: "... She ascended to the presidency after the Supreme Court declared the office vacant upon Estrada’s departure from Malacañang Palace. Serving the rest of the term, Arroyo succeeded in stabilizing the economy and restoring growth as well as the country’s international prestige."
Calling up The STAR yesterday from his detention cell in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, Estrada strongly took exception to Palace’s claims that he had "vacated" his office.
"I did no such thing," Estrada fumed.
"In fact, I wrote the Senate president and Speaker of the House that I am temporarily leaving office," Estrada clarified, referring to the letters he sent to then Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and former Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella on Jan. 20, 2001.
Estrada’s departure from the Palace followed the people’s uprising in EDSA, which was triggered by the walkout of prosecutors in his impeachment trial at the Senate.
Estrada lamented that Arroyo administration officials continue to "demonize" him through the media. He particularly deplored news reports which described his administration as "corruption-tainted."
"I may have committed sins in the past but corruption is not one of them," Estrada swore.
Estrada, who supported the presidential bid of his bosom buddy, actor Fernando Poe Jr., strongly believes that there was massive fraud and cheating in the May 10 polls.
"I don’t believe in the legitimacy of her government," Estrada said.
"Where in the world can you find a proclamation of the President which was done while people were still sleeping?" he asked.
Estrada was referring to the pre-dawn proclamation of Congress of the results of the presidential and vice presidential elections last June 24.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2004
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved