Estrada barred to speak at La Union students' forum

SAN FERNANDO, La Union , Philippines  – Former President Joseph Estrada was barred on Friday to speak in a forum organized for student leaders and local officials for Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro.

“We arranged this forum (for Gibo). They can come here any day, any other day, sasamahan ko pa siya (I will even accompany him). But not today,” Rep. Victor Ortega said.

The student forum was held at the Don Mariano Marcos State University (DMMSU) where Teodoro was the guest of honor and speaker.

Estrada and his party from the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) reportedly had requested the forum’s organizers to ask the students to stay for awhile after their interaction with Teodoro, as the former president also wanted to talk to them.

In his campaign sorties in the Ilocos region, Estrada declared that he has already won the Ilocano vote.

In denying Estrada’s request, Ortega explained that he just wanted to ensure that peace is maintained in all political activities in the province.

“I know they are both civil. They are friends but what about their supporters and bodyguards… We do not like that. We always want things to be peaceful and orderly here,” he said.

Ortega said he relayed his refusal to Estrada through his campaign organizers.

“I told them it is okay for him and for them to visit other schools but not DMMSU after the students’ forum (organized for Gibo),” he said.

He said it is not easy to stop the students from leaving after their meeting with Teodoro.

“It is not easy to maintain a crowd. The students have been here since 3 o’clock,” he added.      – Jaime Laude