Election is not Vindication

In voting for former President Joseph E. Estrada to be their mayor, the people of Manila have spoken. We who are not from that city can only respect and in goodwill support their decision.

For his part however, Mayor elect Estrada should not use his election victory to claim vindication from the crime of plunder when he was President for which he was convicted and subsequently pardoned. His successor, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is now on trial for plunder also won re-election as Pampanga representative. Should we therefore believe her if she claims that her victory is proof that she is innocent?

An election victory is only a mandate to serve a constituency as best as one can. It is not a franchise on truth nor a license to rewrite history. Truth is established by proofs and evidence and not by vehement protestations. If Mr. Estrada truly wants to clear his name and find convincing vindication, he should clamor and insist on a Truth Commission to render judgement on his presidency. This will give him the chance to substantiate his claim of innocence and at the same time expose all his detractors and accusers who conspired against him.

We are sadly a country vertically divided between the powerful and rich who are few and the many who are not. By clamoring for a Truth Commission, Mr. Estrada can at least move us closer to at least be a people united in truth.