Erap says he will never sell himself to give way to others

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada brushed aside yesterday speculations that a rival candidate is set to buy him out of the presidential race in the coming May 10 elections.

There were reports that another presidential aspirant had offered P2 billion to Estrada to convince him to withdraw his candidacy and instead endorse that candidate.

“That is pure speculation. I am not for sale. And I will never sell myself just to give way to others,” Estrada told The STAR during an interview at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao where he stayed.

Estrada said he is more confident now that a recent ruling of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) allowed him to run for president, dismissing earlier petitions filed for his disqualification.

The former president said he is confident he has the support of the country’s masses from social classes D and E in the coming polls.

“That is where my strength lies, with the masses. I have the D and E. They have always been with me and they will not abandon me,” Estrada said.

Estrada said he has gone far in his presidential bid and already covered almost all provinces in the country, except for nine that he still has to visit.

The former president explained that he does not have ill feelings toward local government officials who abandoned him in his electoral bid.

“I understand the local officials who were once for me and now they have changed parties. I understand that, because they are now with the present administration under the set-up of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),” Estrada said.

He said that local officials are still his friends and they remain in contact.

Estrada said his former Cabinet members are still intact and that his former officials are with him until now.

Erap to fight for the environment

Estrada assured the environmental activists belonging to the EcoWaste Coalition that if he becomes president again, he would prioritize the protection of the environment and implement the Solid Waste Management Act.

“Rest assured that if I will be given the chance to come back to Malacañang, it would be one of my priorities,” Estrada told a press briefing at The FARM Convention Center last Wednesday night in Koronadal City.

Estrada also assured the EcoWaste Coalition that he will resolve concerns over the 1,234 dumpsites nationwide that could either be closed, cleaned, rehabilitated or replaced with materials recovery facilities.

Congress passed Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act in 2001, which mandates local government units to establish an ecological solid waste management program within their jurisdictions and provide the necessary institutional mechanisms to attain its purposes.

“In 1999, I was already cautious of the environment. Alam ko ang kahalagahan ng (I know the value of the) environment,” Estrada said, adding that “may naumpisahan na akong mga programa tungkol sa environment pero I was cut down kaya hindi natuloy (I already had programs in place but these were cut short).”

Estrada cited the multi-million peso flood control programs implemented at the Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela (CAMANAVA) area in Manila and in a province in Central Mindanao region during his term.

In 1998, Estrada was elected with over 10 million votes. He was ousted from office by the street uprising amid corruption and impeachment charges in 2001.       – With Perseus Echeminada, Ramil Bajo