Estrada supporters harass PPC bets

POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato — Supporters of ousted President Joseph Estrada gave the thumbs down and refused to shake the hands of People Power Coalition (PPC) senatorial candidates when they made a whistle stop in this town yesterday.

When the PPC convoy arrived at the public market around 3 p.m., people stood still along the roadside and refused to take campaign leaflets from the candidates.

Most people were already on rooftops by the time the administration senatorial bets had gotten off their vehicles to convince the residents to give them a 13-0 victory in next month’s congressional elections.

Las Piñas Rep. Manuel Villar complained that the pro-Estrada residents harassed him and the other PPC candidates.

Villar said most of the Estrada supporters were drunk, and that one of them stole the wallet of his personal photographer as the harassment was taking place.

However, residents of this predominantly Christian town told The STAR they were angry at the PPC senatorial candidates because the Arroyo administration allowed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to return to Camp Abubakar and that Army troops were pulled out from the area.

"Because of this insecurity, the people are venting their ire on the administration candidates," a resident said.

Former Internal Revenue Commissioner Liwayway Vinzons-Chato said she felt pity for the pro-Estrada residents, who are still hoping the ousted president could return to power.

"I just pray that this misguided people would realize that the former president is a fake hero," she said.

A drunk man reportedly tried to grab Chato’s neck during the standoff, while Representatives Ralph Recto and Joker Arroyo, and lawyer Francisco Pangilinan escaped a group of men who tried to hit them when they opened their car windows.

In Davao City, Puwersa ng Masa (PnM) senatorial candidates were winding up their campaign in Mindanao without Estrada taking part in their rallies.

Leo Magno, PnM Southern Mindanao regional coordinator, said Estrada was advised not to leave Metro Manila and join the last leg of the coalition’s Mindanao campaign.

"The former president was not allowed to join the group," he said. "He has been advised to stay home in Manila."

However, former First Lady Luisa "Loi" Estrada, who is running for the Senate, was able to join the other bets in sorties in General Santos City, Davao del Sur, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Surigao del Norte, and Butuan City.