November 20, 2009, 6:25pm
Former Senate President Ernesto M. Maceda, spokesman of the United Opposition (UNO), disclosed on Friday a game plan of Malacañang to defeat the opposition by not questioning the qualification of former President Joseph ‘’Erap’’ Estrada to seek another term for the presidency.The presence of the former President in the political campaign leading to the 2010 presidential would, as a strategy, divide the numerous candidates of the political opposition and ensure the victory of its candidate, former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Maceda explained.
Political observers noted that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won in the controversial 2004 presidential election after neither movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. nor Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson gave way to the other. This led to the division of the political opposition and paved the way for an Arroyo victory.
Maceda also said that the UNO has formed a legal panel to immediately answer a possible disqualification to be filed against Estrada after he has filed his certificate of candidacy on November 27, and has made a list of 17 prospective senatorial candidates.
In a briefing for Senate reporters, Maceda, along with Senate President Pro Tempore Jose ‘’Jinggoy’’ Estrada, said that ‘’legally and politically, before Noynoy (Sen. Benigno Simeon Aquino III) came into the picture (presidential campaign), the word from Malacanang through our friends was that they wanted Erap disqualified.’’
“But since Noynoy came into the picture, it seems they have changed. They are now saying Erap is qualified. Proof? Press Secretary Serge Remonde now says Erap is qualified to run followed up by a statement of senior Lakas vice president Prospero Pichay who said the same thing….that the provisions of the Constitution is clear…the words only apply to a sitting president,’’ Maceda explained.
UNO also commended the decision of former Senator Serge Osmeña III to leave the Liberal Party, saying that by doing so, he displayed a strong conviction to promote new politics.
UNO National Capital Region chairperson and San Juan City Mayor Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito backed Osmeña’s move against the entry former Senator Ralph Recto to the Liberal Party’s senatorial ticket.
“Senator Osmeña showed he is a man of principle,” Ejercito said in a statement.
Ejercito added that Recto’s entry to the party contradicts LP’s claim to promote new politics and shun traditional politicians.
“In including Ralph Recto in its senatorial slate, the LP proved it is no difference from other parties employing politics of accommodation,” he said.
“Accepting PaLaKa members will not fit the image LP wants to project. How can LP, which is supposed to be the ‘righteous’ party, promote politicians who are in conflict with their own principles?” he said.
The tandem of Estrada, of the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay are expected to give a good fight to other presidential tandems such as Senators Aquino and Manuel ‘’Mar’’ Roxas II of the Liberal Party (LP); and Senators Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party (NP) and Loren Legarda of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
There are criticisms that Erap, after leaving Malacanang almost two years and one half years into his constitutionally-mandated one-time, six-year term, could no longer legally allowed to seek another term.
‘’We are extremely confident we will win that (possible disqualification) case to be filed after Erap has filed his certificate of candidacy on November 27,’’ Maceda said.
Source: http://mb.com.ph/articles/230431/maceda-bares-palace-game-plan
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