The purpose of this new book is to give the readers, among other things, the personal background of Joseph Estrada—popularly known as Erap—from the best available sources. Although there is no definitive, reliable biography of Erap, as far as we know, innumerable people from all sectors of society are aware that Erap was a movie actor who got involved in politics. He was repeatedly elected mayor of San Juan, Rizal (now Metro Manila), and despite his connections with the home-grown dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, his family and associates during and after martial rule, he was elected vice president, then elected president by a big plurality in 1998. Many poor people believed his slogan "Erap para sa mahirap." They had seen his movies where he championed the cause of the poor, little people against the rich and the powerful. His inaugural speech was in line with the people's perception—“walang kaibigan, walang kumpare, walang kamag-anak o anak na maaaring magsamantala ngayon. At ngayon pa lamang, sinasabi ko na sa inyo: Nagaaksaya kayo ng panahon. Huwag ninyo akong subukan." Strong words, indeed, for the president of the whole nation.

This book asks the simple question: Erap— is he guilty of plunder? The crime is punished under the Anti-Plunder Law, RA 7080, which I authored when Erap was a fellow senator, a colleague of mine in the Senate where I had been chosen by my peers as President of the Senate. Ironically, Erap voted two times in favor of Senate Bill No. 733. Parenthetically, I was the one who persuaded my nephew, Senator Rene A.V. Saguisag to co-author the bill President Cory Aquino signed into law. To be sure, Erap committed other offenses as well, which is why the book asks the complete question—Is Erap guilty of plunder and other offenses? In this book, there are two writers who say Yes, namely Sheila Coronel and Antonio Carpio, before the latter was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA). Their articles are well-researched, convincing and, at least in my view, unassailable. Erap was convicted of plunder, a decision ably penned by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro. Erap and his lawyers filed a Motion for Reconsideration which they subsequently withdrew so they could get a pardon from President GMA. There was an agreement between Erap and GMA stating that Erap would no longer run for elective office. But Erap is apparently inclined to run for president if other aspirants for the presidency are not united on only one candidate for the presidency in the 2010 election. Many people, especially the poor, seem to favor Erap over the other presidential aspirants.

Meanwhile, GMA is apparently looking for every chance through her allies in Congress, to initiate and carry our charter change, otherwise known as Cha-cha.

Among other features of this book are: (1) some excerpts from the well-known, well circulated book of Amado Doronilla—The Fall of Joseph Estrada, which are reproduced here; (2) a good number of selected essays from the sequel, titled Between Fires edited by Mr. Doronilla; and (3) the useful and interesting essays from Newsbreak, through the courtesy of Ms. Marites D. Vitug, and esteemed friend of long standing.

Regina Publishing Company.

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