MANILA - Like Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero, former President Joseph Estrada has postponed the formal announcement of his presidential bid in light of the devastation caused by recent typhoons.Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said on Tuesday his father was originally scheduled to announce his presidential bid tomorrow (Wednesday), but decided to postpone it to give way to his distribution of relief goods in central and northern Luzon.
However, the younger Estrada said the former president has decided on Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay to be his running mate.
"They were supposed to make an announcement on the 14th [of October], tomorrow, kaso because of the distribution of relief goods, yung mga nangyari sa northern Luzon, na kailangan pumunta yung daddy ko doon para magdistribute ng goods sa Nueva Ecija, sa Pangasinan, sa La Union, so napostpone," Sen. Estrada explained.
Instead, he said the declaration would be made on October 21 in Tondo, Manila where the former president was born.
Sen. Estrada said the senatorial lineup includes himself, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, and guest candidates Sen. Miriam Santiago, Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr., Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Jose "Joey" de Venecia III, and "probably" Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.
Sen. Estrada said the inclusion of former Optical Media Board (OMB) chairman Edu Manzano in the senatorial lineup is still "under negotiation."
Sen. Estrada said the Erap-Binay tandem was agreed upon “several weeks ago.” Binay was chosen over Senators Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and Loren Legarda.
Asked why his father chose Binay, the younger Estrada said: "Si Mayor Binay also has a heart for the poor, malaki ang puso niya para sa ating mga mahihirap."
Binay catching up in surveys
As for Binay's not-so-impressive showing in surveys, Sen. Estrada said: "In fairness to Mayor Binay. he has improved in the surveys, nag double-digit na siya. Hopefully, pagdating ng campaign proper, baka tumaas pa."
Enrile, chairman emeritus of Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), said Binay has considerable clout over local government officials, a network which could deliver votes.
“Don't underestimate Jojo. Maraming Ilocano. Maraming Ibanag. Maraming mayors sa Pilipinas na makokontak niya,” Enrile stressed.
Sen. Estrada added that Binay has figured well in polls for the vice-president post.
In the Pulse Asia survey from July 28-August 10, Binay got 12 percent and placed fourth after incumbent Vice-President Noli de Castro (17 percent), Legarda (21 percent) and Escudero (24 percent).
In the earlier Pulse Asia survey conducted from May 4-17, Binay got 10 percent. This was a 4% improvement from the February poll, where he landed sixth at 6%.
“His ranking may improve after he makes his announcement,” Sen. Estrada said.
Estrada hoping for 'Erap Magic 2'
Binay, president of the United Opposition (UNO), dropped his presidential bid last September after Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III declared he would run for president under the Liberal Party.
Binay then offered to broker talks between Estrada and Aquino to unify the opposition.
Estrada and Aquino held a dialogue late September, but did not reach an agreement on a common ticket.
However, Sen. Estrada said the Liberal Party and the PMP could field common candidates for the senatorial race.
Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News Cebu, Estrada confirmed that he will instead make the formal announcement of the Erap-Binay tandem on October 21.
Estrada also said he will have a complete line-up of senators, congressmen, and local candidates.
Even if there are many candidates seeking the presidency, Estrada is hoping that "Erap Magic" will work for him again as it did when he won the race in 1998.
Estrada said he will also support the candidacy of Gwen Garcia, who will be seeking her third term as governor of Cebu. -- with reports from Purple Romero, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak; Junrey Nadela, ABS-CBN News Cebu
as of 10/13/2009 8:44 PM
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/13/09/erap-binay-declare-tandem-next-week
No comments:
Post a Comment