‘Joseph Estrada’ running for town councilor in Pangasinan

BUGALLON, Pangasinan – This political candidate is riding high on having a popular former president as namesake.

Joseph Estrada, 46, is running for municipal councilor here. But a name, a mustache and wearing wristbands are just about what he has in common with the opposition leader.

The Estrada of this municipal town is a candidate for the administration Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats. He is also an adopted bet of Biskeg na Pangasinan.

Incidentally nicknamed "Ping," the same as opposition re-electionist Sen. Panfilo Lacson, this Estrada told The STAR that he is campaigning on the platform of good governance and a corruption-free government.

His "buloy," which here means a person having the same name, was ousted from power in 2001 for alleged plunder charges and later detained as his case is being heard by the Sandiganbayan.

Whenever he goes around campaigning, the local Estrada said he tells the people his slogan as to why they should vote for him: "Hindi (h)erap, ginhawa ‘yan!"

And for more "pogi" or plus points, he said he wants to wear a wristband similar to the one used by the ex-president who rose to popularity when he was a movie actor before joining politics. – Eva Visperas