Loren ready to run for president in 2010

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Loren Legarda is bent on running for president and expressed optimism that she would be picked as standard bearer of the opposition.

Legarda, who was with former President Joseph Estrada yesterday said that the latter has not yet formally endorsed any presidential candidate from the opposition camp.

So far six presidential hopefuls are in the long list — Senators Manuel Villar, Manuel Roxas, Chiz Escudero, Panfilo Lacson, and Legarda and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

“So far, President Estrada has not endorsed anyone of us,” Legarda said.

Estrada has even announced that in case there would be no unity in the opposition, he might be forced to run for president.

Estrada won the presidency in 1998, but was removed from power on January 2001 in a peaceful people’s revolt.

There were even leaflets handed out yesterday at the Southwestern University stating, “Mahimo pang mokandidato.... Erap pwede pa rin!”

Even former Senator Ernesto Maceda, who acted as emcee of the education forum, said that Estrada is still very much qualified to run for president and even cited some legal grounds.

The two presidential hopefuls, Binay and Legarda, who both sat beside Estrada even clapped their hands.

Legarda added that winning the presidency is not all about money, but the vision, the passion and the compassion to serve the country and its people.

“I am young enough to dream and too old to know the problems of this country. I am ready to serve this country,” Legarda said.

ARROYO BASHING

Estrada yesterday lambasted the present administration for the worsening corruption as he urged students to be honest and stand for good governance.

Estrada, who spoke during the forum on Education: Tool for Poverty Alleviation at the Southwestern University said that funds for basic services including the budget for education are diverted to private funds to some corrupt government officials and their cronies.

“Kung ako ay nagnanakaw noon na ako at pangulo pa, wala sana akong lakas na haharap sa inyong lahat ngayon,” said the former president, who was convicted for the crime of plunder.

“This administration is pre-occupied with misplaced priorities. Our corruption today has worsened. Poverty is widespread,” Estrada said.

The forum also served as some sort of an opening salvo of the opposition’s campaign in Cebu for next year’s elections as other personalities seen as probable senate bets were with the group.

Accompanying Estrada were Gina de Venecia, wife of ousted House Speaker Jose de Venecia and opposition spokesman in the 2007 elections Adel Tamano.

Estrada further said that he has not lost his faith on the youth’s capacity and capability to lead and move this country forward.

As a gesture of support, the former chief executive announced that he will be giving 50 slots for scholarships among deserving students of SWU under the Erap Para sa Mahirap Foundation. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)