Former President Joseph Estrada was Granted Executive Clemency (video & Official Order)

Actor/Former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada was granted Executive Clemency. Despite opposition from the prosecution panel and some allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

This was announced by Acting Executive Secretary/Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye this afternoon.

Senate President Manuel Villar said, "The executive clemency extended to former President Joseph Estrada is a great step towards reconciliation, which is vital to our country’s unhindered passage to progress."

Estrada, who was sentenced to life in prison by the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court on September 12 for plunder, told the anti-graft court on Monday that he was dropping a motion for reconsideration on his verdict and would seek "full, free, and unconditional" pardon from Arroyo.

Transcript of the Official Order of the President

Order signed by President Arroyo:

"Whereas this administration has a policy of releasing inmates who have reached the age of 70;

Whereas Joseph Ejercito Estrada has been under detention for six and a half years;

Whereas Joseph Ejercito Estrada has publicly committed to no longer seek any elective position or office;

In view hereof and pursuant to the authority conferred upon me by the Constitution, I hereby grant Executive clemency to Joseph Ejercito Estrada, convicted of plunder and imposed a penalty of Reclusion Perpetua.

He is hereby restored his civil and political rights.

The forfeitures imposed by the Sandiganbayan remain in force and in full, including all writs and processes issued by the Sandiganbayan in pursuance hereof, except for bank accounts he owned before his tenure as President.

Upon acceptance of this pardon by Joseph Ejercito Estrada, this pardon shall take effect."

Watch the video clip after the jump..