Former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada addressed a crowd of 10,000 supporters last night, October 21, at the Plaza Amado Hernandez in Tondo, Manila to formally declare his bid for the presidency.
ELECTION WATCH: Joseph "Erap" Estrada declares second bid for presidency
Thursday, October 22, 2009
10:58 AM
Rating
Tondo, Manila was all orange last night, October 22, as throngs of Erap supporters crowded Plaza Amado Hernandez to personally hear former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada formally declare his second bid at the presidency, the "last performance of his life."
The crowd went wild as the popular movie and action star, who was wearing his trademark orange jacket and wristband, walked the stage accompanied by his wife, former Senator Luisa "Loi" Ejercito, his daughter Jackie Ejercito-Lopez, and sons Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada and San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor "JV" Estrada.
The 72-year old politician-actor was also accompanied by other political allies and his newly-declared running mate, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay. Estrada and Binay are running under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino-UNO (Force of the Filipino Masses).
Event organizers estimated the crowd at about 10,000 people, composed mostly of the Filipino masa, who elected him to presidency in 1998. His presidential career ended in 2001 when he stepped out of Malacañang, amid widespread allegations of corruption.
Estrada was convicted for plunder in September 2007. But he was pardoned by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a month later, on condition that he would not anymore seek an elected office in 2010. Critics argue that the Constitution bars the deposed President from running for the same position again.
But in several interviews, Estrada downplayed both the pardon terms and the Constitutional provision. Only the sitting President is barred from reelection, he said.
VOX POPULI, VOX DEI. In his 45-minute declaration speech, Estrada alluded to the Latin phrase vox populi, vox Dei (voice of people, voice of God) to describe his second bid for the highest office of the land.
He also said a minority of "power-hungry elite" snatched the presidency from him and from the poor masses. The administration that replaced him, headed by Pres. Arroyo, his former vice-president, caused the poor to suffer the worst poverty and hunger, he added.
Makati Mayor Binay in his declaration speech promised not to leave Estrada.
"Asahan ninyo na ako ay kasangga, kadamay, at tunay na kasama ni Pangulong Erap. Ako ay hindi babaligtad kailanman at hindi mag-iiwanan ni Erap. Lagi kaming magkasamang tapat," Binay said.
A partial list of senatorial candidates was also revealed. Included are Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Ilocos Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr., Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III, and guest candidates Miriam Defensor Santiago of the People Reform's Party and Rep. Rodolfo Plaza of the Nationalist People's Coalition.
"PUSO PARA SA MASA". When PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked Sen. Jinggoy how the senatorial candidates were chosen, he said the basis was empathy for the people.
"Basta may puso para sa masa," he said.
The senator added that he still does not know who will fill up the three remaining slots.
"Hindi ko pa alam," he said.
- ELECTION WATCH 2010: Presidential aspirants tackle Hayden Kho sex-video scandal
- ELECTION WATCH 2010: Jinggoy Estrada hopes Bente co-star Richard Gomez will join the opposition
- Former Pres. Joseph Estrada on kissing scene with Ai-Ai delas Alas: "Teka muna, pag-iisipan ko muna!"
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Sen. Ping Lacson's 'expose' about Erap: "Ako, nakakatulog ako nang mahimbing."
- ELECTION WATCH 2010: Rez Cortez says Joseph Estrada still enjoys support of movie industry
Get showbiz news anytime, anywhere on your mobile! Just key in PEP ON and send to 4627. Available to all Sun, Globe, and Smart subscribers.
More News
- Whitney Houston dead at 48
- Madonna slams M.I.A. for her "teenage" antics at Super Bowl
- Marian Rivera: "Lahat na yata ibinigay na sa akin Lord... In return, ano ang dahilan para malungkot pa ako, magmaldita pa 'ko or ano pa?"
- Comedienne Mosang says she lost P105,000 in a scam
- JC Tiuseco denies rumors he's courting Sarah Lahbati
- Alex Gonzaga hosts new game show with Chris Tiu
-
Big Shot
Anne Curtis: "I can't believe nag-concert ako!"
Anne will bring Annebisyosa to different countries in the next few months.
-
Couples
Alice Dixson admits husband Ronnie Miranda got affected by separation rumor
Alice talks about the difficulties they encountered as married couple.
-
Looking Back
Star For All Seasons Vilma Santos looks back at her 50 years in showbiz
Vilma names her most memorable films and favorite leading men.
-
Society Watch
Divine Lee supports gender equality and gay rights.
Most Popular
- Marian Rivera explains visit to taping of a TV5 show; comments on Iza Calzado's transfer to ABS-CBN
- Grace Lee on President Noynoy Aquino: "I like him."
- Kris Aquino: "Annulment is not a cause for joy. The truth is, it was a marriage that failed but it's a cause for optimism."
- Talent manager Shirley Kuan on columnist Dolly Anne Carvajal: "She can stick to her story. She has a story to tell, fine. But it's a lie."
- Hayden Kho, Jr. insists there is "NO infidelity issue" between him and Dra. Vicki Belo; apologizes to Nancy Castiglione
- Mark Bautista remains friends with Piolo Pascual after being involved in the actor's breakup with KC Concepcion
- PEP SPECIAL REPORT PART I: Why the marriage of Kris Aquino and James Yap was declared null and void
- Is it over between Dra. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho, Jr?
- Part 2 Ynna Asistio to Annabelle Rama: "Bakit napakahirap na pakawalan kami kung talagang ayaw mo sa amin at ipinilit lang kami ng nanay ko sa iyo?"
- Director Mac Alejandre talks about his four-year contract with TV5 and reveals the real reason he left GMA-7
Advertisement
