Erap visits W. Pangasinan; pooh-poohs Lakas-Kampi
ALAMINOS CITY–Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, a leader of the opposition, belittled the administration’s Lakas-Kampi merger, saying that it is nothing but a new “publicity” gimmick as the two parties have always been under the control of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“As far as I’m concerned, isang partido lang yan. Kung ano ang sinasabi ni GMA ay sumusunod yong dalawang partidong yan,” said Estrada during his Lakbay Pasasalamat caravan here.
He said the merger does not affect the opposition, citing how many of their candidates lost in the 2004 and 2007 elections.
He added that opposition parties like his own Partido ng Masang Pilipino and Partido Demokratikong Pilipino intend to forge an alliance with other opposition tickets like the Nacionalista and Liberal parties in July or August in preparation for the 2010election.
This united opposition group, Estrada said, must field just one presidential candidate to ensure victory.
If the opposition does not unite for a common presidential bet, “I’m 90 percent running,” said Estrada who resigned as president in 2001 halfway through his term following charges of corruption and an impeachment trial.
Estrada maintained several retired Supreme Court justices and deans of law schools are of the opinion that he can run again as he was not able to finish his term as president.
Estrada, however, clarified that his Lakbay Pasasalamat caravan, which has been going around the provinces in different parts of the country, is not intended to as early campaigning but just to “thank the people for their unwavering support to him and his family”, particularly for the election of his wife, Sen. Loi Estrada, and their son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
In last week’s trip to Pangasinan, Erap also visited the towns of Bolinao, Anda, and Bani, all of which were devastated by Typhoon Emong on May 7, to give relief goods.
“If I were still the president of the country, I would have given more,” he added.#
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