Sans Chavit's support, Erap courts Ilocos Sur voters again

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur − When he campaigned in Ilocos Sur in the 1998 presidential elections, then Vice President Joseph Estrada had an ally that helped him gather a landslide vote in this province. But 12 years and a plunder conviction later, Estrada returned to this northern Philippine province without the backing of former Governor Luis “Chavit" Singson, a political kingpin in Ilocos Sur who was instrumental in Estrada’s ouster in 2001. On Friday, Estrada launched his campaign sorties here and in the provincial capitol of Vigan City – confident of Ilocos Sur locals' support despite his falling out with Singson. "It’s okay, that’s politics. I cannot express my gratitude [to them]," Estrada told reporters, citing the adulation and warm welcome he received from the locals. Estrada also said he brought about P5 billion in projects to the province when he was still president. Estrada likewise said he had forgiven Singson and his political opponents. He added his relationship with Singson remained "cordial" especially after Singson went to the wake of Estrada's mother in January 2009. Singson, who had served as Ilocos Sur governor for more than 26 years until he ran for senator in 2007, is seeking the gubernatorial post again. His opponent, Efren “Rambo" Rafanan is running under Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino banner. Estrada and Rafanan were on the same campaign float as they courted the voters of this city and Vigan. "Tinataas ko ang kamay niya [Rafanan], ano’ng gusto niyo, halikan ko pa siya (I am raising his hands...do you still want me to kiss him)," the former president said in jest. Ilocos Republic? In a separate interview with GMA News and GMANews.TV here, Singson recalled that in 1998, he gathered local leaders from the mayors down to the grassroots level to drum up support for Estrada. But Singson said that this year, he would not back Estrada “because of what happened in the past." Two years later, Singson blew the whistle on Estrada’s alleged involvement in jueteng, an illegal numbers game. The scandal eventually sparked an impeachment case against Estrada, who was forced to step down via a popular street uprising on Jan. 20, 2001. Singson said his falling out with Estrada would make a dent on the deposed leader’s campaign in the province. "Malaki ang magiging epekto nito [It will have a huge effect on how Ilocos Sur will vote for Estrada]," he said. According to the official canvass of the 1998 presidential elections, Estrada won by landslide and got 57 percent — or 146,983 votes — out of the total 230,222 votes cast in Ilocos Sur. Other contenders for the post included Jose de Venecia Jr., Renato de Villa, Santiago Dumlao, Juan Ponce Enrile, Alfredo Lim, Manuel Morato, Lito Osmeña, Raul Roco, and Miriam Defensor Santiago. The Singsons have dominated Ilocos Sur politics, and to a certain extent, its economic life, for more than three decades. Chavit himself has ruled as governor for 26 years [in non-consecutive terms]: 1971–1972; 1980–1986; 1992–2001; 2004–2007. He also was former congressman in the province's first district from 1987 to 1992. It all began with Singson's exposé In a hearing at the House of Representatives in October 2000, Singson exposed Estrada's alleged involvement in jueteng and called the president "the lord of all jueteng lords." Singson also accused Estrada of receiving bribe from the tobacco excise tax. Singson's revelation resulted in the filing of an impeachment case against Estrada, which the House found to be sufficient in form and substance. Former Speaker and now presidential bet Senator Manuel Villar Jr. transmitted the complaint to the Senate in November 2000. Estrada was the first Philippine president to impeached. Singson stood as witness in the trial, but the proceedings were aborted on Jan. 16, 2001 after majority of the senators, mostly Estrada's allies, voted not to open an envelope which supposedly contained incriminating information against Estrada. When Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide said “the no votes have it," the prosecution panel walked out. The public later gathered at the EDSA Shrine to protest against Estrada and the impeachment court. The street uprising culminated on Jan. 20, 2001, when former Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was sworn in as the 14th president of the Philippines. Mrs. Arroyo was elected President in 2004 against Estrada’s ally and fellow movie actor, Fernando Poe Jr., who died in December that year. After detention of six years, Estrada was convicted of plunder in September 2007. President Arroyo pardoned him a month later. Singson also ran for senator under the administration’s Team Unity ticket in the elections that same year. He lost, landing only on 31st place with more than four million votes. President Arroyo appointed Singson as deputy national security adviser in September 2008. - RSJ, GMANews.TV