Erap ‘pressuring’ opposition to unite for 2010

MANILA, Philippines – The preparations reportedly being made by former President Joseph “Erap" Estrada for next year’s elections should “pressure" the opposition to unite, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said on Monday. Pimentel said Estrada’s reported acquisition of two helicopters, a plane and almost two dozen vans is proof that the former president is serious in his threat to seek the presidency again if the opposition would remain fragmented. "I guess the reported preparedness of former President Estrada to run for president in 2010 is part of the pressure he is exerting on opposition presidential bets to unite," Pimentel said in a text message to GMANews.TV. He said the pressure should fall on opposition figures who are reportedly eyeing the presidency, among them Senators Manuel Villar, Manuel Roxas II, Loren Legarda and Francis Escudero; and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay. Senator Panfilo Lacson, an unsuccessful presidential aspirant in the 2004 elections, had earlier backed out of next year’s presidential race, citing financial reasons. The senator said uniting the opposition would be "a very tall order." "Very tall order na magka-unity at this point in time. At least four opposition potential presidential candidates… malalim na ang preparation. Mahirap na siguro magkaatrasan pa," Lacson said. [It would be a very tall order to unite the opposition now because there are at least four potential presidential candidates who have already laid down their preparations. I think it’s already too late for them to back out from their plans.] - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV