Estrada denies 'Hello Erap' transcript, dares critics to show tapes

Former President Joseph Estrada on Friday called an alleged transcript between him and an unnamed government official a hoax and said dared critics to present the reported 'Hello Erap' tapes.

In an interview with radio station DzMM, Estrada said there was no truth to the transcripts and denied ever having made a deal with the government.

In the said transcript of a supposed conversation between Estrada and the unknown government official on April 19, 2004, Estrada was quoted as assuring the official that he would make sure then-presidential candidate and close friend Fernando Poe, Jr. and Senator Panfilo Lacson would not tandem for the 2004 elections.

This was in exchange for the government’s support for Estrada’s son, Jinggoy, who was running for senator.

However, Estrada pointed out that if he had been guilty of the charges brought against him by the government, then he would have already accepted any offer given to him to escape punishment.

Moreover, he said Jinggoy had no plans to run for senator as the latter was set to run for congressman in San Juan.  Jinggoy had then replaced Sonny Osmeña in the opposition senatorial slate.

The ousted leader surmised that it could be followers of those who want to run for president in 2010 who are putting out  the transcripts.