ERAP: NEXT PRESIDENT WILL COME FROM OPPOSITION
MANILA, OCTOBER 31, 2009 (STAR) By Jose Rodel Clapano - Former President Joseph Estrada yesterday expressed confidence that any of the opposition presidential candidates would emerge the winner in the 2010 elections.“While there will be more than one opposition member who will run for president… with opposition candidates in the tops slots in the past surveys, we are at least sure that the president in 2001 will come from the opposition,” Estrada said.
Estrada told the gathering of the National Press Club in its 57th founding anniversary that even the administration is also fragmented, noting the presidential bids of resigned Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando.
But with the candidates from the opposition cornering the surveys, Estrada said it would not be surprising that the next president would come from the opposition.
On the other hand, Estrada said he respects the decision of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero in quitting the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
Estrada noted Escudero made the surprise announcement Wednesday of leaving the NPC instead of his expected declaration to run as standard-bearer of the party for the 2010 elections.
“That is an issue that is between the NPC and Senator Chiz so I cannot comment further,” he said.
Estrada though admitted it would be difficult for Escudero to run for president without any political machinery.
He said no independent candidate in Philippine history won any presidential election.
Estrada, who announced his reelection bid two weeks ago amid growing concerns that he would be disqualified under the Constitution, also announced his senatorial candidates before the NPC gathering.
Among them are Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, his son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Makati City Rep. Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, businessman Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, Grace Poe, Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza, detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim with Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as guest candidates.
Estrada said he might also include former Optical Media Board (OMD) chairman Edu Manzano in the list under the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).
Marcos, for his part, said he still wanted the political opposition to rally behind one candidate.
With Estrada, Senators Manuel Villar Jr. and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III all gunning for the presidency, Marcos sees a dim chance for a united political opposition.
With Escudero deciding to leave the NPC, Marcos said the former Sorsogon congressman would have lesser options in joining the race.
Even as guest senatorial candidate of Estrada under the PMP, Marcos hinted he would be joining Villar under the Nacionalista Party (NP).
Marcos appeared at the convention of the Partidong Magdalo and the NP in Kawit, Cavite the other night, triggering talks that he is set to join Villar.
“I am a guest candidate with Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) with President Estrada and I have also been talking with Sen. Villar and I have been talking with my godfather, Tito Danding (Eduardo Cojuangco of NPC),” Marcos told reporters.
Marcos said he would give his final decision in the next few days before the Nov. 30 deadline for the filing of candidacy.
Marcos though denied reports that Villar is wooing him to be his vice presidential candidate.
At the same time, Marcos also agreed with Estrada that the opposition would emerge the winner in next year’s presidential elections. –With Christina Mendez
Known Estrada ally endorses Teodoro By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star) Updated October 31, 2009 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim, one of the main allies of former President Joseph Estrada in Central Visayas, made a sudden turnaround and endorsed yesterday the presidential bid of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Lim introduced Teodoro as the next president of the country before thousands of supporters and constituents during a gathering in Tagbilaran City.
Teodoro, who is also chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), was in Bohol yesterday as part of the continuing bid to promote awareness in disaster response program of various agencies.
Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, Bohol Reps. Ed Chato, Boy Jala and Bob Cajes also witnessed Lim’s endorsement of Teodoro’s presidential bid.
“We’re in Bohol to link up all local groups with disaster response capability, including cooperatives, in line with our continuing nationwide disaster preparations,” said one of Teodoro’s staff.
Some 738 League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) members gathered at Manila Hotel for the league’s 2009 convention, likewise signed a manifesto endorsing Teodoro’s presidential bid.
The manifesto of support was signed by a majority of municipal mayors ahead of the league’s executive committee meeting on Nov. 5 to deliberate on the issue.
Former public works secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. announced yesterday that the political machinery for his presidential campaign is already in place to ensure his victory in the 2010 elections.
“There will be no turning back,” Ebdane told reporters during the weekly news forum Friday Balitaan at Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City.
He said the Lapiang Manggagawa, the oldest political party in the country which will be spearheading his campaign, is now in the process of selecting his running mate and also working out a possible coalition with other political parties.
Ebdane said his quest for the presidency is an offshoot of his desire to resolve poverty, which is the root cause of the problems in the country.
He said he decided to run so that he will not just be a passive observer but an active participant in determining the fate of the Filipino people.
“I am not a politician and the problem I am now facing is how to smile even if I’m angry,” Ebdane said. – With Perseus Echeminada, Reinir Padua
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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