The Filipino Press Club of Sydney, a corps of press people, officially issued a strong protest condemning the full pardon without trial of former Philippines President Joseph Estrada on charges of plunder.

An ‘open letter’ addressed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was personally handed over to the Philippine Consulate office in Sydney by club spokesperson Ric de Vera in the morning of Friday, November 9, as part of a worldwide day of protest.

The letter also condemned allegations of bribing Philippine congressmen by the President in the hallowed halls of Malacanan Palace.

The letter read:

“THE FILIPINO PRESS CLUB OF SYDNEY
Sydney, Australia
9 November 2007
AN OPEN LETTER

To:
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of The Philippines

Through:
Maria Theresa Lazaro
Consul General of the Philippines
Sydney, Australia

Dear Mrs President,

We, as a group, hereby express our strongest disapproval of an executive order by your office allowing former President Joseph Estrada to walk free without need to answer charges of plunder in a court of law, as reported in the press all over the world.

We, as a group, hereby express our strongest disapproval at reports in the press that the President of the Philippines had openly distributed what were described as “bribes” to members of Congress within the hallowed halls of Malacanan Palace.

These acts have done almost irreparable damage to the Filipino image in our part of the world, and we must face the consequences with much embarrassment and shame.

We appeal you then, Mrs President, to provide a remedy to the grave situation that is now unravelling, before more serious repercussions develop.

Your immediate response to Filipinos around the world is imperative.

THE FILIPINO PRESS CLUB OF SYDNEY”

The Filipino Press Club of Sydney is chaired by Mr Jaime K. Pimentel, journalist and sub-editor of an Australian national newspaper. Its members are journalists, writers, publishers and graphic artists. #

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