Erap sure to run

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada will have no choice but to run for president in the 2010 elections after Sen. Noynoy Aquino declared yesterday his presidential bid.

United Opposition (UNO) spokesman Ernesto Maceda said Estrada has been consistent in his position that he would run if the opposition fails to unite and support a single presidential candidate in 2010.

“Aquino’s decision means that the opposition will be fielding several candidates.

I don’t see them withdrawing in favor of one another,” he said.

The veteran politician said Senator Manny Villar is running for president under the Nacionalista Party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) is also putting up its own candidate.

“With this development, you will have President Estrada complying with his pronouncement that (if the opposition) won’t unite he will run. Noynoy acquitted himself very well today and the show was of course very impressive. A show of strength. It remains to be seen whether the traditional politicians in the Liberal Party will be able to work together with the so-called civil society groups in the same group,” he said.

Maceda said Estrada is always ready to talk with anybody, including Aquino.

“Well, President Estrada is always open and willing to talk with anybody, especially a presidential candidate. Remember that President Estrada helped a lot in making Noynoy Aquino to be senator because (former) President Cory (Aquino) appealed to include him in the (opposition) ticket (in 2007), which caused the estrangement between President Estrada and Sen. Tessie Aquino Oreta,” he said.

Maceda also said that Kris Aquino has been profuse in her compliments for Estrada.

“President Estrada, myself, and others in his camp feel a sense of closeness to the Aquino family. You can be assured that our campaign will be on a high level and will not involve any criticism of Senator Aquino and his presidential aspiration,” he said.

“We will have to see the next survey because of course it will affect everybody. The people who are getting more support from the ABC class – namely Villar who got 28 percent in the last survey of Pulse Asia, Escudero was second, Loren was third and Erap I think was fifth. But, Erap remains steady in getting the support. So, the question really is who will be affected the most. Unfortunately, no administration candidate is rating well. So, the fight will be among the opposition candidates,” Maceda said. – Jose Rodel Clapano