PEACE AND ORDER IS ERAP'S CENTERPIECE PROGRAM
MANILA, FEBRUARY 15, 2010 (STAR) By Jose Rodel Clapano - Former President Joseph Estrada said peace and order will be a centerpiece of his governance if he is elected president once more.The standard-bearer of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino-United Opposition (PMP-UNO) made the pronouncement yesterday in reaction to the outbreak of violence in Cebu, Davao, and Cavite in the past 30 days.
He was reacting to the shooting of teacher Romeo Aguirre Duran in his classroom in Argao, Cebu, an alleged slay try on Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu at the Gaisano Mall in Davao City, and the gunslaying of 14 people in Cavite.
“(These incidents) underscore the extremely bad state of peace and order our country suffers from today,” Estrada said.
“This is why the restoration of peace and order is the keystone of my platform. The country cannot develop and progress unless peace reigns everywhere. Foreign investors and tourists will always hesitate to visit the Philippines due to this unhappy state of affairs,” he added.
Estrada said the 50-year Muslim rebellion and the 40-year communist insurgency must end before any programs for the poor, especially those in the rural and far-flung areas, can be implemented.
“The root causes of these insurgencies, namely injustice, grinding poverty, landlessness and a lack of jobs or to provide adequate income from farming, must be fully attended to. That I intend to do from day one of my return to Malacanang,” Estrada said.
Erap’s Valentine
Estrada is having dinner tonight with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Name Above Every Name congregation, which claims to have six million members.
Estrada will visit the religious leader’s sprawling compound on Diversion Road near the Davao International Airport before he joins the rest of the PMP-UNO candidates for a proclamation rally at the Rizal Park in Davao tonight.
Estrada is the second presidential candidate to seek Quiboloy’s endorsement after Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro visited him at the prayer mountain, the spiritual retreat of Quiboloy’s congregation, on Thursday.
President Arroyo, a candidate for a congressional seat in Pampanga, also made Quiboloy – a town mate – one of her spiritual advisers. – With Edith Regalado
Erap spends Valentine's Day with religious leaders in South By Jose Rodel Clapano (The Philippine Star) Updated February 15, 2010 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada spent Valentine’s Day with religious leaders in Mindanao.
Estrada, who is running anew for president under the banner of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino-United Opposition (PMP-UNO), flew yesterday morning to Cagayan de Oro City and had lunch with the bishops of the Evangelical Network in Koresko Hotel.
He also attended the 25th anniversary celebration of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ headed by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City.
“This Valentine’s Day, I will focus on love of God and love of country,” Estrada said.
It was Estrada’s second visit to Quiboloy; the first was last Jan. 26.
Estrada was accompanied by his running mate, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, and the PMP-UNO senatorial candidates, namely Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza, former Sanlakas party-list congressman JV Bautista, former congressman Jun Lozada, former Court of Appeals Justice Regalado Maambong, and former senator Francisco Tatad.
Estrada also led the PMP-UNO proclamation rally at Rizal Park in Davao City.
For his part, Binay said his wife, Dr. Elenita Binay, “understands the situation.”
“She knows that I love her, not only on Valentine’s Day but every day.”
Binay said his gift for Mrs. Binay on Valentine’s Day is to “shower her with love.”
“I will never forget her sacrifices when I was jailed during martial law for being a human rights lawyer. She was there for me, and supported my convictions,” he added.
Binay also held meetings with leaders and supporters from various delegations all over Mindanao.
He tackled peace and development issues with Christian and Muslim groups where he emphasized the need for peace in order to lure more investments in the region.
“Valentine’s Day should rekindle our desire to achieve peace and harmony in this part of the country. I have seen how sincere religious leaders, from Rev. Quiboloy to the imam and ustadz, are trying to forge a moral coalition that preaches love, understanding and solidarity in Mindanao,” he said.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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