On pardon granted to Estrada

The unconditional pardon granted to former President Estrada by President Arroyo was the "right decision made at the right time" and history will judge that decision as right , Senator Edgardo J. Angara today said.

Arriving from United States where he participated in top-level talks on financing for development, Angara said that freedom for Estrada "would mean closure to a regrettable chapter of national division and political unease."

"One sad chapter in our history is closed and a fresh, hopeful one is opened. This is what the presidential decision granting full freedom to former President Estrada means," said Angara .

Angara said that the festering wounds of national division brought about by an imprisoned Estrada cannot continue to scar our political, economic and social life. All of these wounds would hopefully heal with the grant of unconditional pardon to Estrada, added Angara .

Angara admitted that President Arroyo's decision would have it share of criticism as detractors of both the former president and the incumbent one would not let that event pass without their harsh judgment.

Still, Angara said that the decision was the "right one" adding that the verdict of history on the pardon will be positive.

Angara said that he believes that the former president will stay away from partisan politics and all the "tantalizing offers " to be an active player in the political mainstream anew.

Angara said he also feels that Estrada would rather focus on carrying out civic and humanitarian acts that would remove all the "stigma" associated with the plunder conviction.

"The road to clearing his name and his reputation will be a long one but many are hopeful the former president will hurdle that," said Angara .

The unconditional pardon restored all civil and political rights of Estrada.

Angara was Estrada's running mate in the 1998 presidential election. He also served in the Estrada cabinet.