Guingona and Legarda were instrumental in the January 2001 ouster of Estrada. Guingona was one of the first officials who tagged Estrada as the protector of jueteng lords while Legarda even cried after the impeachment proceedings against Estrada were aborted in 2001.
"Most of the United Opposition bets are known for compromising their principles and for behaving like political butterflies, all in the name of self-preservation," Reps. Edwin Uy and Monico Puentevella said in a joint statement.
The congressmen said the announcement made by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, who heads United Opposition, was an "indication that the opposition was still the inferior alternative with their senatorial bets composed of movie actors, recycled personalities, and political butterflies that have transferred from the administration to the opposition.
"The opposition slate was composed of recycled faces who after serving full terms in the Senate and are raring to have one more crack at power," they said, apparently referring to former senators Ernesto Herrera, Ernesto Maceda, John Osmeña, among others.
"Now they (Guingona and Legarda) have adopted as political master the very one they worked so hard to topple," said Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella, who supports the administration’s move to scout for principled and winnable senatorial candidates.
"God forbid that this country is stuck with politicians who jump ship or who change political color for their own ends, instead of fighting for their principles and sticking up for their party and their original cause," he added.
Puentevella said Filipino voters are discerning enough to reject candidates who only work for their self-interest and preservation, who sacrifice their principles just to get elected. "We believe the people will be able to demonstrate their political maturity."
Uy said it was obvious that the opposition is finding it hard to complete its slate because it has initially chosen "recycled faces and political butterflies" for its lineup.
"The opposition claims they have numerous personalities competing for a slot in their lineup but all they have initially shown are former anti-Estrada personalities who have lost credibility by leaving the administration and jumping into the sack with Estrada," he said.
Puentevella expressed optimism that the administration will not have a hard time picking senatorial bets, since the government has many "qualified talents to choose from."
"Their loyalty and principles are beyond question. They also have strong charisma based on capability and performance, which transcends mere popularity based on mere pa-pogi and pa-porma," he said.
Sources revealed that the administration’s 12-man senatorial slate is composed of reelectionist Senators Manny Villar, Joker Arroyo, Ralph Recto, presidential chief of staff Mike Defensor, Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes, Reps. Prospero Pichay (Surigao del Sur), Juan Miguel Zubiri (Bukidnon), Gilbert Teodoro (Tarlac), Marcelino Libanan (Eastern Samar), Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and Zambales Gov. Vicente Magsaysay.