What's On & Expat - Philippines

Francisco “Kit” Tatad
Filipino
Former Philippine Senator


         We have heard the verdict of the Sandiganbayan. Let us wait for the verdict of the people.
 

Ted Lerner
American
Writer / TV Host


        It seems like many Filipinos have moved on but I think that Erap tells a very good story. It’s a very interesting story because I think I’ve been here long enough to know what happened. And what happened was he got ousted in a coup d’etat. And it’s a shame that he never really got his impeachment trial. It never really got finished. He submitted himself to the rule of law, but the people that overthrew him did not. But I guess in life and in the history of the world, if you stage a coup and you win, then you’re the winner and you make the rules. And if you lose, well you’re the loser and that’s just the way it goes.
       So I think that he commands a lot of sympathy among a certain section of the population and I don’t think they can be ignored. And I think he’s going to be an even bigger force in the coming elections and people shouldn’t ignore that because whoever aligns himself with him is probably going to do very well. And whoever aligns himself with the opponents of Erap, like say, the administration candidates in the next elections are probably going to get pummeled. The more they persecute him, the more drama there’s going to be, but the thing is, that’s part of life in the Philippines. There’s always going to be drama so we haven’t seen the last of Erap Estrada, that’s for sure..
 

Dr. Sheila Galenzoga
Filipino
Managing Dentist
Dental First


    I don’t see any guilt on Erap because in the first place, he didn’t undergo the due process of law. He was still president when Arroyo took over. For me, he’s not guilty. The administration can’t say that he is guilty because it is not credible to say so with all the questionable issues like the President’s legitimacy and the Garci tape scandal.
    My advice is that since we proclaim we are the only Christian nation, why don’t we solve issues within ourselves and cover one another with the intention of love and peace instead of exposing each other. We don’t need a change of men, we need a change in men.
 

Estrellita J. Tamano
Filipino
Internal VicePresident for Mindanao
Philippine Chamber of Commerce

   I will only talk as to how the verdict on Erap will affect Mindanao. If the verdict is credible, it will not affect the business climate. If the verdict is not credible, then it will. In my opinion it’s not credible.

Brian Lane
American
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Asian Tigers Lane Moving & Storage


    After every leader is deposed by the people, which is apparently what happened here, the law of that country obviously has to be followed. And if this is the appropriate justice for this instance, then so be it.
 

Dr. Bobbie Ann Tan
Chinese
Dentist
Dental First

    I can say that it’s an unfair and biased verdict. Is there solid proof of evidence? There was no due process, he was jailed for six years before the verdict was handed down. And since Erap was convicted, then so should all the others involved including Chavit Singson who was his cohort and who testified against him so there’s no credibility to the verdictt.