Opposition to regroup on Erap’s birthday, says Imee

Opposition leaders will regroup and discuss ways of strengthening their ranks on the occasion of ousted President Joseph Estrada’s 68th birthday on April 19, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos said yesterday.

"A new, stronger and more cohesive opposition will emerge on this occasion," she said.

Estrada, who was forced from office in 2001 in the wake of a corruption scandal, has recently been elected chairman emeritus of the United Opposition or UNO, the umbrella organization of several anti-Arroyo administration groups.

The lawmaker-daughter of the late President Ferdinand Marcos said the expected alliance with the opposition of Susan Roces, widow of the late popular actor and defeated presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., will strengthen UNO’s ranks.

"With all legal avenues now completely shut down, this will be the time for her to seriously consider a more direct approach at seeking redress for her grievances. The people who gave their trust to FPJ are fully backing her in this fight. We will know on the day of Erap’s birthday which way she will go," Marcos said.

She said Roces’ commitment to the cause of the opposition "will refocus the efforts of FPJ’s supporters to fight the excesses of the present administration and its blatant disregard for the welfare of the masses."

Marcos pointed out that the political opposition has to be prepared for the eventuality that people could resort to a concerted action because they are dissatisfied with the present leadership and reeling from high consumer prices and higher taxes.

Asked who will be present on Estrada’s birthday, Marcos said there would be "a wide array of opposition leaders and anti-administration personalities who will be there."

Responding to another question, she said, "I think Ping will be there." She was referring to opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who was Estrada’s favorite policeman. Lacson headed the Philippine National Police during the ousted president’s short-lived administration.

"Ping and his group visit Erap every now and then," she said.

Marcos said she doubted whether Lacson’s nemesis, Sen. Edgardo Angara, would take part in the opposition gathering.

More than two months ago, Estrada was about to sign a public statement expelling Angara from the opposition for considering unity with the Arroyo administration. But the disgraced leader has withheld issuing the statement.

Angara was Estrada’s executive secretary at the time the former president was ousted.

In a related development, administration allies in the House of Representatives belittled the plan of anti-Arroyo groups, including the People’s Consultative Assembly and a group of retired generals, to wage a civil disobedience campaign, calling it a mere publicity gimmick.

"Kulang lang sila sa pansin (They’re lacking attention)," said Representatives Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City and Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela. "They only want media mileage."

The two said any call for civil disobedience at this time won’t succeed.

"People are tired of destabilization and negative politics. With the problems the nation is facing, people believe we need to unite for our survival," they said.

Besides, they added that the groups calling for a protest action have no mass base of support.