Estrada to unite warring Bataan pols

Pardoned former President Joseph Estrada is set to visit Bataan on Jan. 23 to unite the warring political factions there.           

In a phone interview, Estrada’s public information officer Ferdie Ramos told The STAR that Estrada will visit the Bataan towns of Dinalupihan, Orani and Balanga.

“The primary purpose of President Estrada’s visit there is to unite the warring political factions in the area,” he said.         

Ramos said among the political leaders Estrada wants to reconcile are Enrique Garcia, former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman and now Mayor Felicito Payumo, and former Bataan governor Ding Roman.            

Ramos said Estrada’s visit to Bataan will kick off his visit to other northern provinces as part of his Lakbay Pasasalamat.

After Bataan, Estrada is going to Hong Kong on Jan. 26 to serve as one of the principal sponsors in the wedding of the children of his close friends from the Coyuito clan and businessman Dante Tan.

“Well, it will just be an overnight stay and I will be back the following day,” Estrada said.

This will be Estrada’s first overseas trip since he was granted pardon by President Arroyo last October.