2010 elections more complicated – ‘Erap’

By JC BELLO RUIZ
March 28, 2010, 4:08pm








Original Story: http://mb.com.ph/node/250050/2010-el


The 2010 national elections will be more complicated compared to past elections because of the presence of moneyed bets who not only buy votes but also buy the candidates of their rival parties, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada lamented on Sunday.

Estrada, who is seeking a fresh term as President after being ousted from the presidency in 2001 by an uprising, said it is hard to duplicate his overwhelming showing in the 1998 presidential election because of presidential bets who use money to lure candidates of other parties to their fold.

"I may not," Estrada speaking in Filipino, answered when asked by reporters if he thinks he can again score a landslide win in Caloocan, his known bailiwick after campaigning in the city last Saturday.

"My rivals (in this election) are moneyed. They have lots of money. They buy everything, even the candidates (of other parties)," he lamented.

He noted a candidate in his original senatorial slate who joined another party even before the campaign period could start.

"Well, mahirap nang magsalita," Estrada said when asked if he was referring to former United Opposition (UNO) Spokesman Adel Tamano who joined the Nacionalista Party to run for senator.
Estrada, the standard-bearer of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), however, chided Tamano on his decision to bolt the opposition particularly his poor showing in pre-election surveys.

"He (Tamano) has not been rating. At least, Joey De Venecia is in the Magic 12," Estrada said referring to the son and namesake of former Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. who is running for senator under the PMP banner.

Asked if Tamano would have better ratings had he stayed behind the Estrada camp, Estrada said: "Who knows? He has all the qualities, a lawyer, masters (degree) in Harvard University, and he has good looks."

In Caloocan last Saturday, Estrada and his running mate, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay joined PMP's local candidates in a motorcade.

The PMP candidates were warmly welcomed by Caloocan residents as throngs of people lined up the streets starting from Barangay Pangarap during the motorcade.

When they reached Bagong Barrio, PMP candidates ran out of campaign souvenirs to give out to the crowd because of the large crowd that welcomed them along the way.

PMP said they prepared thousands of PMP T-shirts, fans, and stickers to give out to the crowd but still they ran out of such materials at the later stage of the motorcade.

PMP local candidates in Caloocan, led by mayoral candidate Luis “Baby” Asistio and vice mayoral candidate Rey Malonzo promised to deliver millions of votes in the "Erap Country" of Caloocan.


Original Story: http://mb.com.ph/node/250050/2010-el