Erap woos Quiboloy, bishops

Former President Joseph Estrada, who is seeking to reclaim the presidency in the May 2010 elections, on Sunday attended the 25th anniversary celebration of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ organization and met with its influential founder, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Estrada (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino) went to Davao City on Sunday afternoon on Quiboloy’s invitation, the former President’s media office said. GMANews.TV tried to reach Estrada’s spokesperson, Margaux Salcedo, to ask whether he is seeking Quiboloy’s endorsement, but she could not be reached. Kingdom of Jesus has an estimated three million to six million members. Other presidential aspirants who went to see Quiboloy after the official campaign period kicked off last February 9 were Manuel Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party), Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) and Bro. Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas). Before going to Davao City, Estrada visited bishops of the Philippine Evangelical Network in Cagayan de Oro City. He was accompanied by his running-mate, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, and PMP’s senatorial bet, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Estrada won the presidency in the 1998 elections but was driven out of Malacañang due to corruption charges. In September 2007, the Sandiganbayan, the country's anti-graft court, convicted him for plunder and sentenced him to a lifetime in jail, as well as disqualified him from seeking any public office. A month later, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo granted Estrada executive clemency. Estrada officially announced his bid for the presidency last October despite legal challenges and objections to the idea of his political comeback. Section 4, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution states that "the President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time." The Commission on Elections (Comelec), has allowed Estrada to run for president. - Sophia Dedace/KBK, GMANews.TV