Estrada, Binay to file COCs on Bonifacio Day
SOPHIA DEDACE, GMANews.TV
11/22/2009 | 12:18 PM
Saying they want their electoral bids to become meaningful, former President Joseph Estrada and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay will file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on November 30, the birthday of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio.
“We chose the date of birth of the hero of the masses, Andres Bonifacio, before we want to give significance to the filing of our candidacies," Estrada said at the sidelines of the inauguration of the University of Makati’s (UMAK’s) track and field oval.
On November 30, Estrada and Binay will come from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park before proceeding to the office of the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, where they will file their COCs.
Candidates can file their COCs until December 1.
Estrada likewise said the United Opposition (UNO) is still finalizing its senatorial slate.
So far, Estrada said the UNO’s senatorial line-up includes his son Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy" Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (as guest candidate), businessman and NBN-ZTE scandal whistleblower Jose de Venecia III, Grace Poe Llamanzares, daughter of the late actor and 2004 presidential aspirant Fernando Poe Jr.
Estrada said they would try getting former Senator Sergio Osmeña III, who earlier left the Liberal Party.
“If he (Osmeña) will accept it, the better. He is a man of principle. He is credible. He is very industrious and good fiscalizer. In 2007, he was with the opposition," Estrada said.
Estrada, who had not fared exceptionally in public opinion surveys, said it is still too early to determine front runners in the 2010 presidential race.
“The people have no choice yet, that is why it is still unpredictable at this time. Kabayan (Vice President Noli De Castro) had been number one during the initial stages of the poll surveys. But where is he, right now? All of these will be clear by…February to March. Two months before the elections, that will settle down," Estrada said.
He was referring to the performance of De Castro, who started out strongly, but now lags behind in surveys on most preferred presidential bets.
Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III had consistently topped the surveys, latest of which is Pulse Asia’s.
Estrada, ousted in 2001 and convicted but later acquitted of plunder in 2007, also reiterated he is unfazed by possible obstacles questioning the legitimacy of his presidential candidacy in 2010.
“People are asking me why I’m still running. I’m running because my presidency was unceremoniously disrupted that is why I was not able to continue my pro-poor programs," Estrada said.
Legal luminaries and even drafters of the 1987 Constitution had repeatedly said the Charter prohibits Estrada from taking another shot at the presidency. [See: Estrada’s 2010 presidential bid revives legal debate] - GMANews.TV
“We chose the date of birth of the hero of the masses, Andres Bonifacio, before we want to give significance to the filing of our candidacies," Estrada said at the sidelines of the inauguration of the University of Makati’s (UMAK’s) track and field oval.
On November 30, Estrada and Binay will come from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park before proceeding to the office of the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, where they will file their COCs.
Candidates can file their COCs until December 1.
Estrada likewise said the United Opposition (UNO) is still finalizing its senatorial slate.
So far, Estrada said the UNO’s senatorial line-up includes his son Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy" Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (as guest candidate), businessman and NBN-ZTE scandal whistleblower Jose de Venecia III, Grace Poe Llamanzares, daughter of the late actor and 2004 presidential aspirant Fernando Poe Jr.
Estrada said they would try getting former Senator Sergio Osmeña III, who earlier left the Liberal Party.
“If he (Osmeña) will accept it, the better. He is a man of principle. He is credible. He is very industrious and good fiscalizer. In 2007, he was with the opposition," Estrada said.
Estrada, who had not fared exceptionally in public opinion surveys, said it is still too early to determine front runners in the 2010 presidential race.
“The people have no choice yet, that is why it is still unpredictable at this time. Kabayan (Vice President Noli De Castro) had been number one during the initial stages of the poll surveys. But where is he, right now? All of these will be clear by…February to March. Two months before the elections, that will settle down," Estrada said.
He was referring to the performance of De Castro, who started out strongly, but now lags behind in surveys on most preferred presidential bets.
Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III had consistently topped the surveys, latest of which is Pulse Asia’s.
Estrada, ousted in 2001 and convicted but later acquitted of plunder in 2007, also reiterated he is unfazed by possible obstacles questioning the legitimacy of his presidential candidacy in 2010.
“People are asking me why I’m still running. I’m running because my presidency was unceremoniously disrupted that is why I was not able to continue my pro-poor programs," Estrada said.
Legal luminaries and even drafters of the 1987 Constitution had repeatedly said the Charter prohibits Estrada from taking another shot at the presidency. [See: Estrada’s 2010 presidential bid revives legal debate] - GMANews.TV
