DPP still being hijacked by ex-Pres. Chen Shui-bian

His Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), however, still remains hijacked by the disgraced president who may go down in history as the worst we have ever had.

Let's look at how leaders of the now-opposition party have reacted to Chen's conviction and life sentence.

Tsai Ing-wen, DPP chairwoman, promised “moral support the best way we can” for the ex-president. Exactly what that “best way” is remains unknown. She did not vow to get supporters to take to the streets, albeit her spokesman went on the record by saying the party would bring pressure to bear on President Ma Ying-jeou to have Chen released in compliance with the two U.N. conventions on human rights which have just been made laws of the land in Taiwan.

Cheng Wen-tsan, the spokesman, did not rule out the possibility of a mass rally or two to protest not against the guilty verdict on Chen, but against his continued detention, which is likely to be decided upon on Sept. 25.

One heavyweight, Frank Hsieh bore the DPP standard in the presidential election of 2008. Right after the sentencing, he wrote on his plurk site, “You may think Ah-bian (Chen Shui-bian) is guilty, but we shouldn't let public opinion try (his) case. On the contrary, we should refuse to endorse the verdict, and demand that the defendant be free to defend himself (in court).”

“That's the way to protect the fundamental human rights!” Hsieh pointed out. He is nursing his ambition to run against Ma, who is paving the way for re-election in 2012.

Another of the DPP's stars, Yu Shyi-kun, urged Chen “not to speak out, not to defend (himself) and not to plead guilty” in the second trial, which may get under way in a month or two.

A heavily pro-independence supporter of Chen's, Yu wouldn't try to run for president three years from now, but is ready to help the latter continue upon his release to dream of the republic of Taiwan.

Like Hsieh, Yu served as premier and DPP chairman. But his power base is much smaller than that of Hsieh or Su Tseng-chang.

Su had been magistrate of Pingtung and then Taipei before he was elected DPP chairman and made premier later. He was Hsieh's running mate last year.

His plurk was abuzz with questions asking him to say publicly how he views Chen's likely life term. Chen is appealing to the Taiwan high court. When the appellate court turns down the appeal, he may appeal to the Supreme Court, which may remit the case for retrial.

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