Estrada camp prepares post-acquittal plan

President Estrada's political and economic managers have drawn up a post-acquittal plan to help repair damaged relations with opposition leaders and revive the country's struggling economy.

"Palace officials are one in saying that life will go on in the Philippines after the trial. Whether the verdict is acquittal or conviction," said Lito Banayo, a political adviser.

"I do not doubt it (that Estrada would be acquitted)," said Banayo, adding the ruling party should reach out to the opposition and alienated businessmen now, since the opposition will not mind an acquittal because it will be too engrossed in ensuring the victory of their candidates in both the congressional and local elections in May.

The Senate promised the trial would end by February 12, the start of the campaign period for the congressional elections in May 2001. Estrada will extend a hand of reconciliation towards those who sought his downfall – beginning with Vice President Gloria Arroyo, Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin and former presidents Fidel Ramos and Corazon Aquino, said acting spokesman Michael Toledo.

"The President is a kind man; he has shown that from time to time. He always believes in reconciliation, consensus-building and working together in unison to help the country. He will always extend a hand of reconciliation because there is a need to heal the nation. (But) if they do not accept, that is their misfortune," said Toledo.

The reconciliation part will depend mostly on the opposition since Estrada is not averse to it, said Banayo, adding the government will reach out to businessmen, but will not go to the extent of courting them to resume activities.

In the event of an acquittal, another method of constitutionally remove Estrada will be to get him to voluntarily resign, the vice president said recently at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines anniversary meeting.

Cardinal Sin vowed he would lead a non-violent revolution if Estrada is acquitted, a spokesman of the Catholic church said. The government is putting together a "new game plan" that will "respond to the realities of our situation now (and) how best to shield the economy from further harm," said Finance Secretary Jose Pardo.

Noting that every politician will be busy acting as politicians more than politically mature or idealist leaders, Banayo said: "The first test of the opposition's strength in the 2004 presidential elections will depend on how it fares in the 2001 congressional elections."

The elite and the business community will be busy supporting their candidates, the leftists will be fielding their candidates, and the students who attend rallies will be on vacation, said Banayo predicting that everybody will soon forget the Estrada problem.