Kiko tells Palace to ‘shut up’ on Erap plunder case

Senator Francis “Kiko" Pangilinan, who was called “Mr Noted" for blocking the opposition’s objections to the results of the May 2004 presidential polls, told Malacañang on Friday to “shut up" on the plunder case against ousted President Joseph Estrada. "My advice to those in the Arroyo administration on the Erap case: Shut up!," Pangilinan said, adding that recent public statements from the Palace “do not do the case and the Sandiganbayan any good." Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol earlier said the people would be outraged if Estrada would not be convicted. The charge carries the penalty of life imprisonment Apostol reminded Sandiganbayan that the former leader was removed in 2001 through people power. “There was an outcry against his leadership," he said. Pangilinan said such statements “create the image that Malacanang is trying to influence the court." “The statements made undermine the independence of the Sandiganbayan. The appropriate course of action on the matter in the face of questions coming from the media is for them to keep their mouths shut," Pangilinan said. Estrada’s son and co-accused Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada earlier said that a "messenger" close to both the Estrada and Arroyo camps revealed that President Gloria Macapagal wanted to see a guilty verdict on the detained opposition leader. Jinggoy, however, refused to identify the said "messenger." But a source said Estrada was informed by Cardinal Ricardo Vidal and El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde that President Arroyo told them that the ousted leader would be convicted. - GMANews.TV