By ELLEN TORDESILLAS
CAVITE CITY.—Former President Joseph Estrada of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) showed he has not lost his “masa “ appeal despite having been ousted from power and convicted of plunder.
About 5,000 people on Tuesday crammed the vacant lot in front of the public market here to hear Estrada, who turned 73 the day before, vow to recapture Malacañang in this year’s elections.
Estrada attributed his improved ratings in a recent survey to the masses’ unwavering faith in him. A survey commissioned by the Manila Standard showed him statistically tied with Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manuel Villar.
It was a rally-cum-TV talk show as Strictly Politics of ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) held its fifth miting de avance live during the rally.
At exactly 7 p.m. the candidates stopped delivering speeches and people watched as host Pia Hontiveros interview Estrada, his running mate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and six of PMP’s senatorial candidates: former sectoral (Sanlakas) representative JV Bautista, NBN/ZTE whistleblower Joey de Venecia, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former Negros Occidental Rep. (5th district) Apolinario Lozada, Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, and former Sen. Francisco Tatad.
Estrada said he is going to sign a manifesto together with other presidential candidates calling on the Commission on Elections to conduct a parallel nationwide manual count for the elections.
Enrile said he is 99 percent there would be no failure of elections. In case winners of the May 10 elections would not be declared before June 30, he said he would give up the Senate presidency so a new Senate president could be elected from among those whose term will end in 2013 to prevent a power vacuum.
The Senate president is third in the line of succession in case the presidency becomes vacant.
Inday Garutay, Tia Pusit and Marisa Sanchez provided the entertainment. Estrada sang “Saan ka man naroon.”
