Erap open to LP-Uno merger

Ousted President Joseph Estrada is ready to admit the Liberal Party faction of former Senate president Franklin Drilon into the United Opposition (UNO).

In a telephone interview, Estrada, titular head of the opposition, said Drilon’s LP wing can join the UNO, although it is too early to conclude who will be fielded as the opposition standard-bearer in the 2010 presidential elections.

“But the door is open to them,” he said.

The opposition is also considering Senators Manuel Roxas II, Panfilo Lacson and Loren Legarda, and Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. as presidential candidates, he added.

Drilon, outgoing LP chairman, said Roxas, a grandson of the late President Manuel Roxas, is the choice of LP members to be the party’s presidential candidate in 2010.

Roxas is expected to be named as LP president on Monday. He served as trade secretary during the Estrada administration and also under President Arroyo.

Speaking before his supporters in Laguna last Saturday, Estrada said he might run in the 2010 presidential elections as the opposition’s “last option” if there is no strong standard-bearer.

“I might run (for president) if I will see that the opposition has no winnable presidential candidate in 2010,” he said.  – Jose Rodel Clapano