EDITOR’S NOTE: Repost to correct erroneous attribution in original report. The statements attributed to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas were actually made by his sister-in-law, Kristin Treñas.

CEBU CITY, Philippines -- The granting of executive clemency to former president Joseph Estrada drew mostly critical reactions from key political leaders, including President Macapagal-Arroyo’s allies, in the Visayas.

"Why would someone who only stole a pair of jeans be placed behind bars when the person who stole billions of pesos from the government is granted freedom?" asked Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

The move has reinforced the perception of many that the criminal justice system in the Philippines does not work, said Osmeña, an ally of the President.

"If Estrada is granted pardon, it [the system] will no longer be about the law but about who you know and what you are," he said.

Capiz Governor Victor A. Tanco Sr. agreed with Osmeña. "It only shows the double standard of justice that we have in this country. Those who are rich and powerful, even though convicted, can still go free," Tanco said.

He suggested that the power to pardon should be removed from the President "because that power can be abused for political reasons."

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City chapter president Briccio Boholst said the pardon would encourage people to think "it's better to commit bigger crimes because you will get preferential treatment from the authorities."

Kristin Treñas (not Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas as earlier reported), a leader of the Estrada Resign Movement in Iloilo in 2001 who led fellow medical professionals in demonstrations calling for his ouster, said she put on black clothes Friday to show mourning.

She said the granting of presidential pardon to Estrada “demolished” the improved image of the judiciary following Estrada’s conviction of plunder by the Sandiganbayan.

“She [Arroyo] used us! She has bitten the hand that fed her. Why doesn’t she just free all political prisoners? After all, not one of those thieves stole more than Erap [Estrada’s nickname]!” said Treñas, a sister-in-law of the Iloilo mayor, a staunch Arroyo supporter.

She called Arroyo a “traitor” to the people who risked life and limb to expose a “rotten government for which she became the direct beneficiary.”

Former Capiz governor Jose Borda said Arroyo's decision was expected.

"Nothing to it but [the] pure politics of survival. A dangerous precedent of a 'quid pro quo' pag si GMA [Arroyo’s initials] naman ang sumunod [when it becomes GMA’s turn]," Borda said.

Lawyer Alex Tolentino, former IBP-Cebu City president, also believed the decision was a concession for Arroyo to stay in power.

Aurelio Bosque, spokesperson of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan, New Patriotic Alliance) in Panay, said the pardon "smacks of the highest form of opportunism and hypocrisy."

Bosque said the granting of pardon to Estrada would "aggravate and deepen her isolation from the Filipino people."

Fara Diva Gamalo, regional staffer of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, said Estrada should "suffer for the crimes he committed against the Filipino nation."

Some allies of both Arroyo and Estrada, however, supported the President's decision.

"I think PGMA's pardon for Estrada is the right [and] humane act to do. Considering his stature, Estrada suffered enough humiliation and physical deprivation as a punishment," said Roxas City Mayor Vicente B. Bermejo.

Both Presidential Adviser for Eastern Visayas Victor Domingo and Leyte Mayors' League president and Tanauan Mayor Roque Tiu said Estrada's pardon could lessen tension and lead to political stability.

Ricardo Presbitero, former mayor of Valladolid in Negros Occidental and a leader of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Strength of the Filipino Masses) in the province, welcomed Estrada's pardon.

"Through his sacrifices while in detention, he has shown the nation his strong and compassionate leadership, his respect for rule of law, the truth and, presumably, his innocence," Presbitero said.

Felipe V. Celino, Nestor Burgos, Joey A. Gabieta, Carla P. Gomez, Jhunnex Napallacan and Jani Arnaiz, Inquirer Visayas; Originally posted at 04:46 pm