Estrada only true opposition - JV

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada is the only true opposition in the coming presidential elections, San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito said yesterday.

Ejercito said Nacionalista standard-bearer Manny Villar and Liberal Party bet Benigno Aquino III, who are accusing each other as secret candidates of Malacañang, could not say they are the “true opposition.” Both have denied the allegation.

Ejercito said the two men must first apologize to the Filipino people and to his father for having joined the coup d’etat that brought President Arroyo to power in 2001.

“Why don’t they first admit that they were mistaken in joining those who toppled (Estrada) and placed Gloria in the Palace? And this is precisely the reason why we have suffered the past nine years under a government riddled with corruption under the Arroyo administration,” Ejercito said.

He said Villar was “the first to openly turn traitor and personally railroad the impeachment case” against Estrada.