Is Erap's verdict predicted by the President?

Before the decision made upon the Sandiganbayan vs. Erap's cases, the Malaca�ang had favored Erap to give a pardon whenever he's guilty. Prior to the news announcement, Erap found guilty on his plunder case. However, he isn't guilty for perjury. Because of this, he was only given 40 years of imprisonment and that's already a very heavy sentence and I believe there's something else that they would do to lighten the punishment. I think the president has something to do with this in order just to stay in her position. That is why she's doing anything safely to maintain her "supposedly good image" to the public.