Erap eyes own merger of opposition parties

SAN FELIPE, Zambales, Philippines – Former President Joseph Estrada hinted yesterday at the possible merger of his party, the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), with PDP-Laban, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and the Liberal Party (LP) for the national elections next year.

In an interview, Estrada said a merged PMP, PDP-Laban, NPC and LP would all the more strengthen the opposition in 2010.

Estrada also belittled the chances of administration candidates even with a merged Lakas and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

“Like in the 2007 senatorial elections, we have a strong lineup of candidates for the 2010 elections. The administration will enter the needle’s eye. The opposition will be an issue-oriented one in next year’s elections,” Estrada said.

He said that the administration will have a hard time explaining to the people the issues on “rising unemployment, rampant graft and corruption and the peace and order problems in the country today.”

“Our country has been named as the most corrupt country in Asia; second to the most corrupt country all over the world. International human rights groups also tagged the Philippines as a very dangerous place for journalists. We would easily beat the administration candidates,” Estrada said, adding that Filipino voters of today are intelligent.

“The people will no longer allow themselves to be fooled. You may fool them once, but not twice,” Estrada said.

Estrada said the vice presidential candidate of the opposition will be known either in August or September.

“Whoever will be chosen, the opposition candidate will surely win. All our presidentiables are winnable and highly qualified. There are Senators Loren Legarda, Manny Villar, Manuel Roxas, Panfilo Lacson and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay. All of them are capable. We will see the realignment of candidates and who will slide down either by August or September,” Estrada said, adding that the opposition will also have a stronger vice presidential candidate because he or she will come from the list of presidential contenders who will not be chosen as the opposition standard-bearer.