DAGUPAN CITY—Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz gave this reminder to the First Gentleman’s lawyer on why he is now “silent” on former President Joseph Estrada’s jueteng involvement: Juetengate I is past, Juetengate II is still ongoing.

Cruz, whose exposes triggered Senate jueteng probe that involved jueteng payola that allegedly benefited some members of President Gloria Arroyo’s family, told this reporter yesterday in a phone interview that,” While I don’t wish to give serious attention to the observations of the good Atty Jesus Santos, it might be good however to clarify some concerns”.

He said it is “ a rule of good manners and right conduct that when someone is already down, it would be highly improper to still kick him still”.

Mr. Estrada already lost his office as President, he is already under arrest, he is undergoing trial, Cruz, chairman of Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng (Crusade for Jueteng-Free Philippines) said.

He added that one of the issues raised is Juetengate I so it is time to look at Juetengate II (which now involves the Arroyos).

He said this was precisely brought up by the Senate hearing on how much damage jueteng does to our national elections and this is the present issue.

“Wherefore even Atty. Santos might want to help in knowing the truth behind Juetengate II because precisely Juetengate I is sub lite,” Cruz said.

He added that “He (Santos) should know this very well as a lawyer”.

Cruz said during Estrada’s time, he led several demonstrations and rallies in this city to denounce the ousted president on the alleged huge jueteng payola he gets from jueteng lords..

The other day, Santos, in a story that appeared in The Philippine Star (www.philstar.com) questioned Cruz why he is not as zealous as before in investigating Senator Panfilo Lacson’s claims versus Estrada’s jueteng involvement.

Santos added that Cruz’ alarming and deafening silence makes his anti-jueteng advocacy doubtful and bereft of any credibility.