Citing that there was no hope anymore for the opposition to field a single candidate in the upcoming 2010 elections, former President and convicted plunderer Erap Estrada announced in a press interview that he will be running for the Presidency once again. He further explains that he’s talked to almost all of the candidates already, namely Chiz, Noynoy, & Manny Villar. None of them are willing to give way. Erap also shared that his party will field a full slate, including a senatorial line-up that features: Senator Jinggoy Estrada, General Danilo Lim, Joey de Venecia III, Edu Manzano, Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Grace Poe.
Here’s the full press article on Inquirer.Net:
Erap gives up on opposition unity, decides to run himself
By Gabriel Cardinoza
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:27:00 09/26/2009Filed Under: Politics, Elections, Joseph Estrada, Eleksyon 2010, Ping Lacson
DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — Giving up hope that the opposition would unite in time to field a suitable candidate, former President Joseph Estrada has decided to run for president himself.“Mukhang wala nang pag-asa [na mag-unite ang oposisyon]. Si Noynoy (Sen. Benigno Aquino III), hindi maaawat iyon. Si Senator (Manuel) Villar, di na rin maawat. Si Senator (Francis) Escudero, di na rin maaawat. Kaya tatakbo na rin ako. (I have given up hope that the opposition would unite. Noynoy can’t be stopped. Senator Villar can’t be stopped. Senator Escudero can’t also be stopped. So, I’m also running),” Estrada told reporters here.
Estrada was here for his Lakbay Pasasalamat that brought him to the towns of Calasiao, Binmaley, Lingayen, Bugallon, Aguilar and Mangatarem. This is his third visit this year to the vote-rich province of Pangasinan.
Both Aquino of the Liberal Party and Villar of the Nacionalista Party have formally announced their intention to run for president in the 2010 elections. Escudero, who belongs to the Nationalist People’s Coalition, has yet to formally declare his candidacy.
For his part, Estrada said he would formally declare his candidacy “at the proper time.” He refused to name his running mate, saying he would make the announcement at his formal declaration.
Senatorial slate
He said his political party, Partido ng Masang Pilipino, would field a full slate in the 2010 elections, including local candidates.
His senatorial slate includes Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, his son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, actor Edu Manzano, Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Grace Poe-Llamanzares, daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr.
“We are also considering Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Marcos, and as a guest candidate, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago,” Estrada said.
In Pangasinan, he said he is “inclined” to support Rep. Victor Agbayani, who has declared his intention to challenge incumbent Gov. Amado Espino Jr.
“[Agbayani and I] have talked but [we have not reached] a final decision yet,” Estrada said.
In the province’s congressional races, he said he would support the bids of television news reporter Maki Pulido in the first district, and Gina de Venecia in the fourth district. Her husband, former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., is finishing his third and last term.
Religious family
Estrada also denied the accusations made by Sen. Panfilo Lacson in his privilege speeches in the Senate.
Lacson had indicated that Estrada may have been involved in the December 2000 murders of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito.
“Pure fiction. I have never been charged with murder. I was brought up by a very religious family,” Estrada said in English and Filipino.
The antigraft court convicted the former President of plunder in September 2007 and sentenced him to 40 years in prison. Estrada never served the prison term, however, as President Macapagal-Arroyo granted him a pardon barely a month after.
Asked who among the presidential aspirants he considered as his strongest opponent, Estrada said: “It’s too early to tell.”
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. is also running for president under the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.
“We will know by January or February [next year],” Estrada said.
Just some thoughts on this issue. One, I don’t believe that Estrada should be able to run again. If I were to use the logic of him not completing his term therefore he can run again, then GMA should just resign now (so that she wasn’t able to complete her term) so that she can run again for the Presidency in 2010.
Next, it’s really okay to forgive, but I don’t think it’s just right to elect a convicted plunderer to the highest position in the land.
Lastly, we would be the laughing stock of the international community.
The only plus side I’m seeing in the event that he wins is that I’ll be able to sell my dollars at a much higher rate because the peso exchange rate would probably be like 1000PHP = $1.
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Well the purpose of prohibiting a President for a reelection is to avoid the use of public funds and government resources in the campaign. It is actually a gray area in our constitution that should be ironed out. I say let ERAP run and let the people decide, let ERAP have a taste of defeat. i dont think that he would win anyway, i believe that the voters are wiser now. Maybe he would stop bragging on how the people still loves him after loosing.
Tama na Erap…you had your chance…give it to someone else..lets start thinking of doing things for our country and not for our bruise egos..lets choose a president who is young,capable,a new blood and can invigorate the country..lets not vote for the trapos…time to start fresh and be the economic power that we where in the 40′s and be the pearl of the orient seas and not a third world..we have the natural resources and an educated population..We can.
*facepalm*
Wow, only in the PI. Kapalmuks talaga mga politicians natin. And to those who think that Erap cannot win, think again. Marami pa ring bobong voters sa Pilipinas and most of them can be bought.
Ang problema kasi sa mga Filipino walang political awareness! Bigla nilang iboboto ung mga lintik na politicians who keep on giving us empty promises! ang malala pa kahit alam nilang buwaya sa pagiging kurakot iboboto pa ulit nila simply because idol nila iyon. Being popular does not equate to being a good public servant!
sana wag ng ipahintolot ng ating panginoon na manalo pa itong si erap sanay bigyan ng liwanag sa bawt isa sa ating mga pilipino sa ating isipan na tayoy mag-isip at hindi na muling iboto ang erap na ito..sanay bigyan nya din ng pakakataon ang iba..sanay tulongan tayo ng ating panginoon
This kind of politicians should no be given another chance of getting a position this high! Parang walang muwang mga voters, kung mataas pang votes pa makukuha niyan grabe na.
kung cnu man ang dalhin ng iglesia ni cristo sa 2010 election…un ang cgurado ng panalo!dahil sa dami ng mga posisyon.
iglesia ni cristo had a more or less 10million register voter…kaya sa mga nkakaintindi…cno ba sa mga presidentiables ang malapit sa I.N.C? Un lang po.mag isip na kayo….
erap parin
erap for president…. mabuhay ang pilipinas
ang pagbabalik ni ERAP…. mabuhay ka MR.PRESIDENT ERAP go,go,go erap for president & binay for v. pres. SENATORS: 1.JINGOY ESTRADA,2.JUAN PONCE ENRILE,3.MERIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO,4.PONG PLAZA,5.JUN LUZADA,6.JOEY DE VENECIA,7.GUINGONA,8.KIT TATAD,9.BONG MARCOS,10.HONTEVERUS,11.TAMANO,12.JV. BAUTISTA