What's the real score in UNO?

Even while the United Opposition (UNO) has only a tentative list of their possible senatorial candidates, deposed President Joseph Estrada is already resigned to the fact that the Arroyo administration coalition has been trying to raid their ranks to get their winnable candidates.

This is why, Estrada said, he was not surprised at all over reports that several of the UNO senatorial bets like former Sen. Vicente Sotto III and Tessie Aquino-Oreta were purportedly set to be included in the 12-man "unity ticket" of the Arroyo coalition.

Calling up from his rest house detention in Tanay, Rizal, Estrada told me he was not taking it against Sotto and Oreta if indeed the two would opt to join the "unity ticket" of the Arroyo administration. "They (Sotto and Oreta) are close friends of mine. I respect their decision. All I can say is I wish them luck!" Estrada said.

As far as Estrada knows, the UNO selection process is not yet finished. He, however, has already asked the UNO executive committee in charge of the selection process for their Senate lineup to finalize their slate by today even if the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the senatorial candidates is yet on Feb. 12.

Estrada also accused the administration to be behind the moves to foist the so-called "third force" in its bid to weaken the opposition lineup. He refuted reports that the UNO has dropped both Sotto and Oreta from their senatorial lineup. This, despite the fact that Sotto and Oreta have formally took their oaths of membership to the pro-Arroyo bloc of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

The NPC met last night to map out their own nebulous political coalition whether or not they will field their own senatorial team for the coming May 14 elections. But House minority leader, Rep. Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escudero (NPC, Sorsogon) already beat his partymates to the draw as he officially filed yesterday his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila. He brought along his wife and their wedding godmother, actress Susan Roces obviously for the endorsement of his candidacy in this photo opportunity. Say Chiz!

Sotto and Oreta actually left the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) headed by Sen. Edgardo Angara who himself is one of the seven re-electionist senators trying to get them to form the core of the so-called "third force." Sotto explained his transfer to NPC, among other reasons, as precipitated by party platform differences after Angara decided for LDP to support the Charter change (Cha-cha) initiatives of the Arroyo administration. Angara’s pro-Cha-cha stand, Estrada cited, disqualified him from the UNO slate. "Because the ‘purist’ opposition in the UNO accused him (Angara) of not being a pure opposition," Estrada explained. I sensed that Estrada would have wanted Angara in their UNO slate but the latter was being boxed out. If this is the argument of the "purist" opposition at UNO against Angara, that can be said also of the other UNO senatorial candidates like ex-Sen. John Osmeña who ran but lost as Arroyo-backed Senate candidate in the May 2004 elections.

Although he is one of the original senatorial bets of the UNO, Sotto noted with frustration that he, along with Oreta and former Sen. Gregorio Honasan were being eased out by the johnny-come-lately in the UNO. Sotto, however, did not name names. So that’s what the squabble is all about in the UNO. In fact, the real "Johnny," Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile quit last week as the chairman of Estrada’s PMP because he said he could not support some of the reported senatorial bets in the UNO lineup. Estrada confirmed to me he accepted Enrile’s resignation but he clarified that the latter remains an active member of his PMP. In his letter to Estrada, Enrile cited he could only support the senatorial bids of Sotto, Oreta, and San Juan Mayor J.V. Ejercito.

Estrada earlier announced his withdrawal from any participation in the selection of the UNO senatorial bets following criticisms over the political dynasty issue due to the inclusion of his son, Mayor J.V. as the official candidate of the PMP. This is because former First Lady and Sen. Loi Ejercito, upon Estrada’s imprimatur, won’t seek re-election. Of course, his half brother, incumbent Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, does not relish the idea of sitting beside J.V. if ever the latter makes it to the Senate.

Anyway, the inclusion of Mayor J.V., along with lawyer Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Taguig-Pateros Alan Peter Cayetano in the UNO Senate ticket were severely scored by Estrada’s staunch ally, former Senator Francisco Tatad as abetting political dynasty. Pimentel is the namesake of Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. while Cayetano is the younger brother of Senator Pia Cayetano. The detained President conceded that Tatad has "valid arguments" and that he was not taking it against him for raising this issue. "That is why I withdrew from any participation in the selection of the UNO Senate slate. It’s now up to the executive committee," Estrada pointed out.

Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution states: "The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as maybe defined by law." I completely agree with Tatad that a sitting Senator, or any lawmaker for that matter, should do everything to provide the enabling law, which Congress has failed to enact and not to invoke its absence as a reason for him, or anybody else to violate what the Constitution mandates.

A reader, a certain Danny, sent through email his suggestion on how to enforce the ban against political dynasties: "I think the people who are behind the people’s initiative (PI) should focus on Section 26, Article 11 of the Constitution on the prohibition of political dynasties under the state policies. Although, as you mentioned on your column last week, the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty law will never see the light of day if we leave it to Congress to enact a law. So perhaps the majority of all Filipinos who are against this musical chair arrangement can enact a law themselves to prohibit political dynasties being created. People’s Initiative, if done properly, can succeed and I believe if any law enacted by PI will scare the daylight out of all politicians. I think it’s time to review the Constitution. It’s been 20 years since the Constitution was written but there is no law yet passed to stop political dynasty. Imagine how many more loopholes there are because the lawmakers are ignoring their solemn duty."

Pro-Cha-cha movers in Congress led by Speaker Jose de Venecia could very well take up this cause in pushing the shift to parliamentary system.

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