‘We were paid P200 each for Estrada rally’

ILIGAN CITY — People who flocked to former President Joseph Estrada’s campaign rallies in Mindanao last week may truly be his supporters. But many of them came for another reason — money.

One barangay official from a hinterland village here said he was made to hire at least three jeepneys which he packed with people to hear the ousted leader’s speech at this city’s public plaza last Thursday.

The official said the jeepneys were paid for by Estrada’s camp and one student from the barangay said they were paid P200 each for joining the rally.

A local television station estimated the crowd at Estrada’s rally here at 15,000, although policemen said the plaza could only accommodate a maximum of 5,000.

Earlier, Estrada had also drawn a crowd of at least 5,000 in Zamboanga City where he campaigned for the senatorial candidates of his Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino party.

The same crowd reportedly filled the capitol compound of Cagayan de Oro City during his visit there last Friday.

One leader, however, justified the giving of money to those attending Estrada’s rallies. "Of course, people should be given at least some token for their time and effort in coming," said the leader, who asked not to be named.

Aside from money, people were reportedly attracted to the rallies by the presence of movie stars whom Estrada tagged along to entertain them.

In one of Estrada’s sorties, the crowd became unruly and even climbed the stage to shake his hand. The same happened in Cagayan de Oro where Estrada even fell from the makeshift stage due to the wild crowd.

A popular revolt ousted Estrada in January, and last Friday, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that his removal from power was legal.