'Presidentiable' behind revoke pardon bid, says Erap

MANILA, Philippines – Former President Joseph Estrada yesterday labeled as a “paid lackey” a man who had asked the Sandiganbayan to revoke the pardon President Arroyo granted him in 2007.

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada said someone who fears his running in next year’s presidential elections is behind Virgilio Pascual.

“He is a paid lackey of another presidential candidate,” he said. “One of them paid him.”

However, Estrada did not name the candidate.

“He (Pascual) is planted by other presidential candidates who are afraid of me,” he said.

Estrada expressed confidence that he has a strong chance in the 2010 presidential elections.

However, he would throw his hat in the 2010 presidential elections if the opposition fails to unite behind a single presidential candidate, he added.

Estrada said he could run again in 2010 based on the study conducted by two former Supreme Court justices, two law deans and a Bar topnotcher.

“My pardon is unconditional,” he said.

“It restored my civil and political rights. I was able to vote in the 2007 elections. I can vote and I can be voted upon also.”

Erap and GMA

Nueva Ecija Rep. Edno Joson urged President Arroyo and Estrada yesterday not to run in next year’s presidential elections because they have relatives holding elective office.

“They would give the public the impression that they are out to stay in power and build political dynasties like other families,” he said.

“Ruling political and economic families should end their domination of the country’s politics and economy. They are the cause of poverty and corruption in the country. If we replace them all, maybe our lives will get better.”

Estrada’s son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is believed to be planning to run for vice president in next year’s elections.

Another son is San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito. Until 2007, Estrada’s wife Luisa was a senator.

Mrs. Arroyo’s sons are congressmen – Juan Miguel or Mikey from Pampanga and Diosdado from Camarines Sur.

Her brother-in-law Jose Ignacio represents Negros Occidental in Congress, and sister-in-law Maria Lourdes is a party-list representative.

Chavit favors Jinggoy

Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson is against Estrada running again for president but supports Jinggoy’s plans to run for vice president.

“We already started to talk since (President Estrada’s) mother passed away, and we started to patch up our friendship and forget whatever happened in the past,” he said.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Rizal shrine in Barangay Casat in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Singson said his relationship with Estrada has improved such that he had committed to support Jinggoy’s bid for vice president.

“I am supporting him (Jinggoy) whether he runs for vice president or opts for reelection or whatever elective position,” he said. Singson advised Estrada not to be swayed by his supporters to run for president again. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Jess Diaz, Charlie Lagasca