Erap: I shall return to Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada vowed to return to Malacañang and reaffirmed his commitment to continue his programs to lift the Filipino people from poverty and hunger.

Estrada held his proclamation rally in Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila yesterday, marking the start of the campaign season for the May 10 elections.

Estrada told the gathering that he would continue his fight against corruption in government and lift the Filipino people from poverty and hunger if he is given a fresh mandate in May.

Estrada said he is running again to regain the power that he claimed was stolen from him in 2001.

“We are all here today to regain the power that was stolen from the Filipino people... We are all here today to let them know that we are tired of rampant corruption and stealing from government coffers,” Estrada told the crowd.

He also urged voters to accept the money offered by candidates but put his name in the ballot on election day.

Estrada said he would ensure that the Filipino voters wouldn’t get cheated again, referring to the hotly contested elections in 2004 between President Arroyo and his bosom buddy, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr.

Estrada introduced his running mate, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay.

“With my running mate, the next vice president of the Philippines, Jojo Binay, and the entire slate of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), together, we join you, our people, to reclaim back our government and restore the power of the Filipino people. We will get back what they stole from you,” Estrada said.

Former ambassador Ernesto Maceda, campaign manager of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino-United Opposition (PMP-UNO), claimed an estimated 15,000 people attended the proclamation rally sending off Estrada and Binay on the campaign trail.

Maceda said the attendance at the rally only proves that the public welcomes Estrada’s intent to return to Malacañang and finish all the pro-poor programs he had started.

“The lack of peace and order in the country is the root cause why we remain poor today when in the 1950s, we were second only to Japan in economic growth. There is no peace and order, warlordism, kidnappings, hold up, rebellion and secessionist movement continue in Mindanao,” Estrada lamented.

“Even if we have the best economists in the country... if you do not have peace and order, we will fail and that is what happened to our country. We had all the best platforms of government, but we have failed because there is no peace and order, because of an insurgency movement and the secessionist group in Mindanao,” Estrada said. He urged rebel groups to “submit to only one flag, one Armed Forces and one government.”

“No more, no less. It is my duty as president and commander-in-chief to protect the territorial integrity of our country at all costs... even if it costs my life. We have a very small country, then you will divide it,” he said.

Estrada announced his plans to talk peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) if he is elected president.

“I am prepared to negotiate with the MILF or any rebel group, but I will negotiate from a position of strength,” Estrada told the rally.

Strength in numbers

Maceda said the number of people who attended the rally was more than that of other presidential candidates.

“The sheer number of people here dwarfs those in our opponent’s rallies, and surely belies the results of those surveys claiming the other candidates are ahead of Erap,” he said.

Maceda expressed confidence Estrada’s survey ratings would increase during the campaign period.

“Our campaign is gearing up and we expect to overtake the other candidates in the surveys in the days to come. Erap will surely return to Malacañang,” he said.

Yesterday’s rally also launched Estrada’s new campaign jingles and advertisements that focused on his achievements as president.

Estrada’s Senate slate includes Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, NBN-ZTE whistle blower Joey de Venecia III, Apolinario Lozada, detained Army general Danilo Lim, former senators Francisco Tatad and Sergio Osmeña, Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, lawyer JV Bautista, former election commissioner Regalado Maambong and guest candidates Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ramon “Bong” Revilla.

Before the proclamation rally, Estrada and Binay and the rest of the candidates attended Mass at the Pinaglabanan Church in San Juan City.

Binay told the gathering that the next administration would face a tough challenge in restoring public confidence in the government.

“Choosing the next leader of the country is not an easy task since we will be facing tough problems after Mrs. Arroyo steps down. Filipinos cannot afford to allow those who have no capability and experience to lead the government because they would only abuse power and serve their self-interest,” Binay said.

Binay also urged the people to remain vigilant, particularly on election day.

Binay said he and Estrada would lead the people in protest rallies if cheating in the election occurs.