Palace: Defensor acted ‘responsibly’ on Erap issue

Malacanang on Sunday said Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor acted “responsibly" when he said he is not against the temporary release of jailed ex-president Estrada. “You can be sure that Secretary Defensor is responsible enough to be able to do his job," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said. The Palace, however, maintained it respects the independence of the Sandiganbayan to decide on Estrada’s case. Ermita issued the statement after Senate President Franklin Drilon called on Defensor to stop commenting on the Estrada case. “If they do not agree with what…Defensor is saying, sorry that they do not share his views, but Secretary Defensor is just doing his job and he thinks he’s doing his job well especially the matter of trying to reach out to those who are opposed to President Arroyo," Ermita said. He said Malacanang has always maintained that it seeks national reconciliation in accordance with the law. Defensor earlier said Malacanang would not block efforts to seek a temporary release of Estrada to improve the political climate.