Erap not closing door on 2010 presidential run

Former President Joseph Estrada is not closing his doors to making another pitch for the presidency in 2010 despite a commitment to the Arroyo administration not to run again for public office after being granted an executive clemency for plunder.

“We cannot say that. It will depend on how things will be,” Estrada told Arnold Clavio and Ali Sotto of dzBB when asked if he is done with public office.

“But in the meantime, now that I was already released from jail, I will dedicate my time in helping our poor countrymen,” Estrada said. “I believe so that history will be kind to me it will vindicate me.”

He stressed he is also willing to help the Arroyo administration in improving the lives of the poor.

Estrada said he did not regret entering politics while his movie career was flourishing.

“We have a saying that God has His own purpose. This is merely a trial,” Estrada said of his past misfortunes.

Estrada also said that aside from his son Jinggoy and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manuel Roxas, Loren Legarda and Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. are also being considered as opposition presidential candidates.

“It is a very sensitive matter and I don’t want to be wrong in picking who will I endorse as opposition standard-bearer,” he said. “I don’t want the masses to blame me for endorsing the wrong candidate.

“We will see who among them are the true pro-masses and pro-poor. They are all qualified and good,” Estrada said.

Estrada also said that he has already forgiven former Ilocos Sur governor Luis Singson and others whom he thought were responsible for his ouster and being jailed for plunder.

“Because of my consistent prayer, the Holy Spirit touched me and I realized that good things should be shared to others. It taught me how to forget the wrong things done to me by other people so that you will live peacefully. I have already forgiven everybody,” he said.

Estrada said Mrs. Arroyo, who pardoned him Oct. 25, also owed him a debt of gratitude for becoming president.

“Recognizing your debt of gratitude is a Filipino value. It is right to recognize our debt of gratitude because that is our upbringing as a Filipino. But this administration also has something to thank from me and that is the remaining term that they stole from me,” he said.

Thankful

Villar, Lacson, Legarda, and Roxas were thankful of Estrada’s early “endorsement” but said it’s still too early to talk about who’s running in 2010. But they acknowledged the former president’s considerable political influence despite his setbacks.

Villar said the Nacionalista Party, which he heads, is ready to come out with a lineup of candidates from president down to councilors for 2010.

In Roxas’ opinion, “2010 will not be so much about Gloria versus Erap, or (about) administration versus opposition, but I think 2010 will be, who has a plan and who can implement that plan to move our country forward, to create jobs, incomes and livelihood for our people.”

Villar said it is too early to speculate although he has a high regard for the tandem of Binay and Estrada.

“As I have said, it is still too early to talk about presidential and vice presidential tandems. There are many possibilities to happen in the next three years. Although there so many who are qualified to run for president, one has to rely on fate on what will happen in 2010,” Villar said.

Lacson said “it is too early to speak of combinations and presidentiables. We just went through a midterm election. I think the people deserve a break from politics.”

Villar admitted Estrada’s endorsement is a big deal because the former president still commands respect among opposition leaders. “And the members of the opposition should not pressure the former president who has just regained his freedom,” he added.

Sen. Francis Escudero, a neophyte senator, also believes it’s not yet time to talk about the 2010 elections but said there’s nothing bad aiming for the highest position.

For his part, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. of the ruling Lakas said he was flattered for being considered as vice presidential candidate, but declined to comment if he is prepared to run against long-time friend Jinggoy.

“It’s still premature to talk about the elections,” he said. But he said definitely he wouldn’t allow politics to ruin his friendship with Jinggoy.

“You will become president if you are destined to be. If you are not, you cannot be president even if you gamble your whole life to just be president,” Revilla said. – With Christina Mendez and Evelyn Macairan