Erap joins EDSA I celebration

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada expressed support for President Aquino yesterday as he joined in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Edsa People Power revolution of 1986.

Estrada said he was invited to participate in the celebration and decided to come to honor Edsa’s legacy.

He said that he was the one who created the Edsa People Power Commission in 1999.

The first Edsa People Power revolt ousted then dictator Ferdinand Marcos and installed Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, into power. Estrada was ousted from power in the second Edsa revolution in 2001 following public outcry due to corruption.

Estrada said it was his successor, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who had been corrupt during her administration.

He noted that Mrs. Aquino, the first female president of the country, was known as the “icon of democracy” while Mrs. Arroyo, now a Pampanga congresswoman, is better known as the “icon of corruption.”

“So I hope this time President Noynoy would correct all the nine years, almost a decade of the Arroyo administration that corrupted all agencies of the government,” Estrada said.

Estrada said Aquino was on the right track but he should be given enough time to deal with the many problems left by the previous administration.

“You cannot expect a miracle, he’s only barely eight months (in office). During those nine years (where corruption) was rampant, even I would have a hard time if placed in President Noynoy’s situation. So let’s give him enough time. So far so good,” he said.