FORMER President Joseph "Erap" Estrada’s last night declared his intention to reclaim the presidency he lost in 2001 as he unfurled the United Opposition (UNO) team for the May 2010 elections.As throngs of orange and blue-clad supporters roared in approval outside the Sto. Niño de Tondo Church in Manila, Estrada introduced Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay as his running-mate and four of the 11-man senatorial slate headed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
"This is the last performance of my life… itong laban na ito ang huling laban ng pelikula ng aking buhay. Ngunit hindi ako ang bida rito kundi ang masang Pilipino," Estrada said as he faced a crowd of about 10,000 at Plaza Amado Hernandez in Tondo.
"Alang-alang sa nanay ko at sa aking yumaong kaibigan na dinaya noong 2004 elections na si Fernando Poe Jr. at sa taong bayan na nanganganib sa adminsitrayon at sa masang Pilipino… tinatanggap ko ang hamon upang ibalik ang dangal ng mga api, ang dangal ng mga mahihirap, ng masang Pilipino… sumusumpa ako, si Joseph Ejercito Estrada, na lalahok ako sa susunod na halalan upang muling maglingkod sa masang Pilipino bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas," Estrada told the crowd.
In Malacañang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Estrada’s declaration came not as a surprise, but his candidacy is open to legal challenge as soon as he files a certificate of candidacy.
Ermita reminded Estrada of a clause in the executive clemency given to him by President Arroyo in October 2007 "that he (Estrada) agrees not to seek any public office in the future."
If it is only to announce intentions in a convention or a political rally, there nothing wrong with that, Ermita said.
"In the end, everything will have to be settled judicially. In the end, whatever he wishes to do, and I’m sure the good former president is advised by people around him, but there’ll be citizens who will come out in the open questioning his certificate of candidacy and therefore they might bring this matter to the courts, maybe the highest court," Ermita said.
Making reference to the recent calamities that struck the country, Estrada said he fully intends "to rise from the swamp and return to power he had once held through the relentless support of the poor."
Estrada said their ticket’s battle cry would be peace and order and poverty eradication.
Binay, accepting the draft, stressed that what the country needs right now is a leadership that is banking on experience, capability and genuine love for the poor.
He also swore that if they manage to clinch victory, he will remain loyal to Estrada and to the people.
Present aside from Enrile were the other members of the UNO senatorial line-up: Estrada’s son Senate Pro Tempore Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, lawyer Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III.
Also present were Estrada’s wife, former senator Loi Ejercito, UNO campaign manager and former Sen. Ernesto Maceda, and PMP and PDP-Laban officials.
Some of those announced by UNO as part of the senatorial team were not around. They were Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Reps. Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin Jr., Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Rodolfo Plaza, and detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.
Supporters of Estrada were ecstatic at the thought of having the person they call as "Hero of the Masses" returning to Malacañang.
"Dapat bigyan pa siya ng isa pang pagkakataon para mamuno dahil hindi naman niya natapos yung dating termino niya at napaalis siya," said vendor Charlene Delgado.
Others, however, had simpler reasons for being happy over the possible Estrada comeback.
"Masaya kami dahil eto na ang pagbabalik ni Asiong Salonga. Maraming tao ulit siyang matutulungan. Kailangan natin si Erap," said the 61-year-old Leopoldo Fernandez referring to the popular movie of Estrada in the 1960s. – With Ashzel Hachero and Jocelyn Montemayor
Source: http://www.malaya.com.ph/oct22/news2.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment