Puno says Estrada won’t substitute for Loi

Former Press Secretary Ricardo Puno yesterday brushed aside speculation that the senatorial candidacy of Former First Lady Dr. Luisa "Loi" Ejercito was simply a ploy that would allow her husband, ousted President Joseph Estrada, to return to power by way of substitution.

"I don’t understand why they are saying that her slot would be taken over by Mr. Estrada at the last minute," said Puno, who himself is running for senator with Ejercito under the opposition "Puwersa ng Masa" coalition.

Critics of the deposed leader claimed he would run in the May 14 congressional and local elections by asking his physician-wife to yield her Senate slot.

But Estrada himself doused cold water on such speculations, saying he had no intention of being senator after having reashed the peak of his political career.

Puno pointed out that like any qualified Filipino citizen, the former first lady is entitled to present herself to the people.

"Let the people be the judge," he said.

In another development, Puno urged the government to continue existing infrastructure and agricultural productivity programs for Mindanao as he noted that adequate projects are in place to jumpstart the economic development of the south.

He issued the statement amid reports that the government plans to carry out a so-called mini-Marshall Plan for Mindanao’s rehabilitation.

Puno said the government should instead focus on programs already in place for the island, such as massive infrastructure projects and food security programs that not only aim to transform Mindanao into the country’s food basket but create more jobs for the island’s poor residents as well.

"We should maintain the government’s focus on Mindanao’s infrastructure buildup and transformation into the country’s premier food provider. Mindanao’s vast fertile lands, which include the former rebel stronghold Camp Abubakar, are ideal for farm development and in boosting the country’s food production," he said.

The former presidential spokesman also called on the Arroyo administration to expand credit facilities for the poor to open more livelihood opportunities for them and free them from the bondage of unscrupulous lenders.

Puno said the government should also provide more microfinancing programs for low-income Filipinos.

"These people who want to improve their lot in life have no one to turn to except the government," he said.