Erap says he's 90% ready to run for president

MANILA, Philippines – Former President Joseph Estrada seems to have lost his hopes that the opposition would unite in fielding only one candidate for the 2010 presidential elections. A report aired over GMA News’ "24 Oras" quoted the deposed leader as saying that he is already 90 percent sure of seeking once again the highest position in the land. "Hintayin natin maging 100 percent. So right now meron pang ten percent na not sure [Let's wait until it becomes 100 percent. So, right now I am still 10 percent unsure]," Estrada said. Estrada has earlier stressed that he would gun for the presidency only if the opposition fails to unite. Estrada in 1998 was elected with over P10 million votes, the highest vote a presidential candidate ever had in the Philippines history. He was overthrown in 2001 amid corruption allegations and was sentenced to life imprisonment for plunder. Estrada was later granted executive clemenecy, which also restored his political and civil rights. Since then he has reiterated his eligibility to run, saying he is not covered by the election-ban under the Constitution. The television report said Estrada has yet to decide on his running mate, but a member of his political party, Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), disclosed that the former leader is eyeing either Senators Francis Escudero or Loren Legarda. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said Estrada personally informed him a few days agao. Both senators are looming presidential candidates of tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco's party, Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). Legarda, who lost in the 2004's vice presidential race, earlier said that she is only open to running for president in next year's polls. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV