Bishop urges Estrada to give up presidential bid

MANILA, Philippines - A Mindanao-based Catholic bishop yesterday urged former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada to give up his presidential ambitions, saying unity would only be obtained if he abandons his political plans next year.  

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad told the Church-run Radio Veritas in an interview that he was against the idea of Estrada joining the 2010 presidential derby.

“I am not in favor of him running for president next year. I think he should set aside his personal ambition…His term as president of the country is over,” Jumoad said.

After Estrada was released from detention and pardoned by President

Arroyo on plunder charges in 2007, he set out on a series of “Lakbay Pasasalamat” visits all over the country to thank his supporters for their continued support.

However, political observers viewed his tours to the provinces as part of an early election campaign for next year.

But Estrada has not made formal announcements on his decision to run for president in next year’s elections. All he said was that he would run for president if the opposition does not unite and come up with one candidate.

Bishop Jumoad believed that unity in the country would only be obtained if the 72-year-old actor-turned-president abandons his political plans next year.

“If he wants to unite the Filipino nation, I think he could serve as a unifying force for the opposition and then, let them come up with one presidential contender. He should just leave it up to the new breed of politicians who are also dreaming of becoming president. He should leave it up to the young politicians, that would be good,” the Basilan prelate added.

But it seems that not all officials of the Catholic Church share Jumoad’s opinion on Estrada’s possible presidential bid.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Public Affairs Committee (CBCP-PAC) chairman Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez said he is leaving it up to Estrada to assess himself as leader and for the Filipinos to discern his capability for themselves.

“While I have no objections to his running for president, I do have a question mark…We have to observe him closely. But personally, I am looking for a candidate who would be able to promote what is good and would work for the interest of the people,” Iniguez said.

But he said that he is also open to the idea of giving Estrada a chance.

“Estrada has to assess for himself his own situation, make his own decision, assess his track record, and determine if he is capable of leading our country to the next chapter in history. If he thinks that he could help solve the country’s problems then he could run for president. After all, it is still the people who will decide,” Jumoad said.