Vidal vs COMELEC, GR.

206666, Jan 21, 2015

Issue: Did the pardon extended to Estrada restore his right civil and political rights and to seek public
elective office?

Ruling: Yes. Former President Estrada was granted an absolute pardon that fully restored allhis civil and
political rights, which naturally includes the right to seek public elective office. The wording of the
pardon extended to former President Estrada is complete, unambiguous, and unqualified. the statement
"[h]e is hereby restored to his civil and political rights," to the mind of the Court, iscrystal clear – the
pardon granted to former President Estrada was absolute, meaning, it was not only unconditional, it was
unrestricted in scope, complete and plenary in character, as the term "political rights"adverted to has a
settled meaning in law and jurisprudence. Therefore, there can be no other conclusion but to say that
the pardon granted to former President Estrada was absolute in the absence of a clear, unequivocal and
concrete factual basis upon which to anchor or support the Presidential intent to grant a limited pardon.