GMA hits back at Erap for riding on scandals rocking First Family

President Arroyo lashed out yesterday at her ousted predecessor, Joseph Estrada, for riding on the scandals rocking the First Family as she accused him of wanting to regain power.

The President asked the public to be discerning and not to support the destabilizers who only wished to destroy her administration.

"Sana naman huwag magpagamit doon sa mga gustong bumalik sa puwesto na napatalsik na o doon sa gustong magpalit at magpatakbo ng bansa sa paraang hindi demokratiko (I hope the people will not allow themselves to be used by those who want to return to power after being ousted or those who want to change and run the government through undemocratic means)," Mrs. Arroyo said in an interview at radio station dzRH yesterday morning.

The President was referring to Estrada, who was kicked out of office through a peaceful street protest now dubbed EDSA II.

Estrada has gone on a gleeful attack against Mrs. Arroyo, saying she could face a political disaster similar to the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of US President Richard Nixon in the 1970s. He was referring to a scandal over CD recordings of an alleged conversation between the President and an election commissioner regarding poll fraud in last year’s presidential election.

Estrada stopped short of urging Mrs. Arroyo to "do a Nixon," or resign to avoid impeachment and certain conviction.

Estrada was referring to the former US president who resigned as a result of the Watergate scandal of the 1970s. That scandal also involved the release of recorded conversations.

If Mrs. Arroyo does resign, however, Estrada said he should be the one to replace her, not Vice President Noli de Castro.

He maintains that his 2001 ouster by a military-backed popular uprising was illegal. Estrada is currently on trial before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court for plunder and other corruption charges.

Mrs. Arroyo assailed individuals and groups whom she said are out to destabilize her administration, subvert democracy and impose their will on the people.

She said attempts to overthrow the government have become part of the dark underside of Philippine politics — since many candidates would rather complain they were cheated rather than admit to losing in an election.

Mrs. Arroyo denied cheating during the May 2004 elections, adding she had no intention of allowing the opposition to destroy her.

She urged Filipinos to stand united as a people belonging to one nation.