Noynoy, Erap talk about ‘unified opposition’

While the public's attention was focused on tropical storm "Ondoy," it was politics as usual for presidential aspirants Senator Benigno Aquino III and former President Joseph Estrada as they quietly met Sunday night to discuss next year's elections. Interviewed on Monday, Aquino said the meeting lasted for three hours but refused to give further details on its results. He said they would release a joint statement about it. “Maganda ang resulta ng pag-uusap namin kagabi (Our meeting last night went fine), not on a personal basis, but as far as the country is concerned," said the only son of the late President Corazon Aquino and slain senator Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr. Aquino said the meeting was able to establish a more unified opposition. "The only issue is if it will be complete or partial." Among those present were Estrada’s son, Senate Pro Tempore Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, and Aquino’s sisters Ballsy, Kris and Pinky. Also present were Aquino's brothers-in-law whom he did not identify. Likewise, Aquino was mum on who hosted the meeting, merely saying that another meeting would be held soon. Possible alignment But Aquino hinted of a possible alignment of his political group, the Liberal Party, to Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino. “Para sa akin (For me), instead of drawing apart, we draw closer and hopefully the process will continue." He added that they were also able to thresh out minor irritants such as "comments from other people who don’t want us to come to terms." “Yung nagsasabi na (Those who are saying that the) opposition is disunited and will not triumph, that is just the wishful thinking of the administration," he said. Aquino said they also discussed their apprehension on the poll automation and even the failure of election scenario.“We exchanged information and possibilities. If we are leaders of our own particular groups we have to be knowledgeable enough to lead them." Asked if they were able to tackle Estrada’s plan to run for president, the senator said: "I will just be supposing. I’m not exactly sure if that was part of the discussion." As of posting time, GMANews.TV could not reach the camp of Estrada for any comments. - GMANews.TV