Estrada loot to fund ‘Puersa ng Masa’ campaign

The Lakas-NUCD-UMDP party today warned that funds disgraced president Joseph Estrada is about to pour into the "Puersa ng Masa" campaign kitty may be part of the P15 billion loot the government is trying to locate.

Opposition senatorial bet Blas Ople, the other day, assured their party mates that Estrada is set to contribute heavily on their campaign apparently to dispel internal problems caused by the lack of finances.

But Lakas executive director Joey Rufino questioned Estrada’s financial capability to dump hundreds of millions into the opposition’s campaign offers.

"How could he contribute heavily when his assets have been frozen following numerous allegations, plunder cases filed against him by his cohorts," Rufino said.

Charges were filed against Estrada about his alleged anomalous deals that amassed for him at least P15 billion in just two years and a half in office.

Rufino called on the government’s financial watchdogs to closely monitor banks for any "huge money movements because this could be part of the unexplained wealth Estrada accrued in the past two years."

Until now, the present administration is still trying to track all the money that Estrada stashed away in various banks locally.

Rufino said he is not surprised that the deposed president would pull all the tricks up his sleeves in order for him to regain power.

"But that is far from reality now. His prediction of a 9-4 sweep of the opposition is mere hallucination. He may still be under the influence of liquor and suffering from the severe psychological effects of his recent downfall," Rufino said.

"Let us be watchful and not allow the people who threw the country back into the dark ages to get back in power. A victory for the People Power Coalition is a victory for the Filipino People," he said.