‘Estrada can no longer reclaim presidency’

Ousted President Joseph Estrada can no longer reclaim the presidency, contrary to what his supporters claim, acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable said yesterday.

Afable was commenting on the allegation of Estrada’s supporters that the disgraced leader is just on leave and that President Arroyo is only a temporary occupant at Malacañang.

He said the Supreme Court has ruled that Mrs. Arroyo is the legal successor of Estrada who was ousted from office more than a year ago in the wake of charges of plunder and corruption against him.

He said the entire nation has to abide by that decision of the high tribunal.

Afable made the comment a few days before the first anniversary of the bloody assault on Malacañang by Estrada supporters who wanted to return him to the presidency.

The disgraced leader’s followers are planning mass actions to commemorate that event. For its part, the government is making preparations to ensure that such activities are peaceful.

Afable corrected reports that the authorities are fielding 10,000 policemen to watch over those taking part in the May 1 commemorative activities.

"Malaki ’yan, hindi 10,000 (It’s not 10,000, that is big)," he said.

He said he has attended a security briefing by Director Edgardo Aglipay, head of the National Capital Region Police Command, and the number involved "is about 6,000."

"We really have to field policemen in large numbers as a deterrent to violence so the public will have peace of mind," he said.

He stressed that the government will do all it can to make the May 1 activities of Estrada’s supporters peaceful. – Jess Diaz