Erap no longer running for president

MANILA, Philippines - With Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Grace Poe’s declaration of their presidential bid in the general elections next year, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday said his chance of running again for the country’s highest office is now “almost zero.”

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada said the only thing that could make him run for president is if Poe and Binay are disqualified.

Estrada said he is currently focused on his re-election bid as Manila mayor.

He said he has not decided whom to support for president in the May 2016 polls.

Poe is Estrada’s goddaughter. Her father, Fernando Poe Jr., was Estrada’s bosom buddy and fellow movie actor.

On the other hand, Binay is Estrada’s close friend and political ally.

Estrada and Binay ran for president and vice president under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in 2010.

Estrada lost to then senator Benigno Aquino III while Binay won against Manuel Roxas II.

“I will make my decision when all have filed their certificates of candidacy,” Estrada said.

Duterte: Time to retire

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte yesterday said he would not be swayed by calls from all sectors for him to reconsider his earlier position that he won’t be running for president next year. 

“No, not even that Million People’s Call in Manila on Sept. 26 can make me change my mind,” Duterte said. 

The mayor likewise said that even if there would be people attending the event, it still would not make him run.

He said he might go abroad on that day so he can avoid the event organized by his supporters in Metro Manila. 

Duterte stressed that he would rather enjoy retirement from politics after he had served several years as prosecutor, vice mayor, mayor and one-time congressman.

“I have been in government service for 38 years. It is time for me to retire,” he said. – With Edith Regalado