UNO exec to aspirants: Heed Erap call for unity
SOPHIA M. DEDACE, GMANews.TV
05/20/2009 | 10:30 AM
MANILA, Philippines – An official from the United Opposition (UNO) on Wednesday urged opposition figures who have expressed intent to seek the presidency to heed former President Joseph Estrada’s call to unite behind a single candidate for the 2010 presidential elections.
UNO spokesperson Adel Tamano said that having many opposition candidates might work to the advantage of a possible lone administration bet, recalling what happened in the 2004 polls where opposition candidates like Sen. Panfilo Lacson and the late Fernando Poe Jr. lost to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
"Baka makalamang ang administrasyon ngayon [The administration might take advantage of such scenario again]," Tamano said in an interview on Unang Hirit.
In the opposition, those who have announced their presidential bids or are reportedly eyeing the presidency include Senators Manuel Roxas II, Manuel Villar Jr., Lacson, Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay.
Still, Tamano expressed hope that the opposition could unite in fielding a single standard bearer for the forthcoming May 10, 2010 elections.
"Naniniwala ako na may pag-asa. Although ngayon, I guess everyone is saying na watak-watak kami dahil sa nangyayari sa Senate [I still believe we can still unite, although there is the wide perception that we are divided because of what’s going on at the Senate," Tamano said.
He was referring to supposed ongoing spat among opposition senators in connection with the investigation on the ethics complaint against Villar, who allegedly benefited from the supposed double funding for the C-5 road project.
Villar had alleged that politics is behind the investigation because surveys had indicated that he is a front-runner in the presidential race.
In Wednesday's interview, Tamano reiterated that the supposed “disunity" would compel former President Joseph Estrada to run in 2010 to unite the opposition.
Estrada – who Tamano said was the opposition’s “unifying factor" – said last week he was 90 percent sure in seeking the presidency.
On Monday, he said he could still seek reelection despite the arguments of constitutional experts that the 1987 Constitution explicitly forbids any president – sitting or former – from being reelected.
Estrada claimed there is no legal impediment to his possible reelection but even framers of the Constitution like Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Christian Monsod were one in saying that Estrada is restricted from running again.
The deposed president added that he is giving the presidential aspirants in the opposition until August or September to unite. - GMANews.TV
UNO spokesperson Adel Tamano said that having many opposition candidates might work to the advantage of a possible lone administration bet, recalling what happened in the 2004 polls where opposition candidates like Sen. Panfilo Lacson and the late Fernando Poe Jr. lost to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
"Baka makalamang ang administrasyon ngayon [The administration might take advantage of such scenario again]," Tamano said in an interview on Unang Hirit.
In the opposition, those who have announced their presidential bids or are reportedly eyeing the presidency include Senators Manuel Roxas II, Manuel Villar Jr., Lacson, Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay.
Still, Tamano expressed hope that the opposition could unite in fielding a single standard bearer for the forthcoming May 10, 2010 elections.
"Naniniwala ako na may pag-asa. Although ngayon, I guess everyone is saying na watak-watak kami dahil sa nangyayari sa Senate [I still believe we can still unite, although there is the wide perception that we are divided because of what’s going on at the Senate," Tamano said.
He was referring to supposed ongoing spat among opposition senators in connection with the investigation on the ethics complaint against Villar, who allegedly benefited from the supposed double funding for the C-5 road project.
Villar had alleged that politics is behind the investigation because surveys had indicated that he is a front-runner in the presidential race.
In Wednesday's interview, Tamano reiterated that the supposed “disunity" would compel former President Joseph Estrada to run in 2010 to unite the opposition.
Estrada – who Tamano said was the opposition’s “unifying factor" – said last week he was 90 percent sure in seeking the presidency.
On Monday, he said he could still seek reelection despite the arguments of constitutional experts that the 1987 Constitution explicitly forbids any president – sitting or former – from being reelected.
Estrada claimed there is no legal impediment to his possible reelection but even framers of the Constitution like Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Christian Monsod were one in saying that Estrada is restricted from running again.
The deposed president added that he is giving the presidential aspirants in the opposition until August or September to unite. - GMANews.TV
