The Presidential Office yesterday said President Chen Shui-bian (
Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Liu Shih-fang (
Given that the president's son-in-law, Chao Chien-ming (
Others were more willing to comment.
While saying that he respected the ruling, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Hsu Kuo-yung (
"As a lawyer for such a long time, this is the first time I've seen things like this," he said.
Hsu said that it was possible that the verdicts had been influenced by public opinion against Chao.
DPP Secretary-General Lin Chia-lung (
Opposition politicians wasted no time in lambasting the DPP.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) slammed the DPP for failing to prevent its members from getting involved in corruption and urged KMT members to maintain their integrity and fight corruption.
"We need to have the political will to insist on running the country with integrity and to fight against corruption. With will, there comes with resources and help," Ma said during a meeting of the KMT's Central Standing Committee held at the Panchiao Farmer's Association.
KMT caucus whip Tsai Chin-lung (
Tsai said there was still concern, however, that the president and the DPP might attempt to influence the judiciary in the appeals process.
People First Party (PFP) spokesman Lee Hung-chun (李鴻鈞) demanded the president apologize for the crime Chao and his father committed.
"The felony was committed because of the association with the president. Chen owes the public an apology in terms of his moral responsibility," Lee said.
PFP Legislator Liu Wen-hsiung (
Additional reporting by Ko Shu-ling
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