Erap takes swipe at Villar, Noynoy

President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino took a swipe at two of his rivals to loud cheers of his supporters on Friday. However, he refused to name them. “Iyong mga tinatawag ang sarili nilang oposisyon, mga sinungaling iyan, lalo na iyong kumukuha ng kulay ko," Estrada said before orange-clad supporters from the Citizens Movement of Justice, Economy, Environment, and Peace, more commonly known as JEEP ni Erap. (Those who consider themselves as part of the opposition, they’re all liars, especially the one who has appropriated my campaign’s official color.) One of his rivals in the presidential race, Senator Manuel ‘Manny’ Villar, uses orange as his campaign color. Meanwhile, still refusing to name names, Estrada said: “Iyong isa naman, nag-apologize na nga iyong nanay, siya ayaw naman." Aquino’s mother, the late president Corazon apologized for her participation in the so-called EDSA 2 that deposed Estrada and catapulted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to power in 2001 Later asked by reporters if Aquino already apologized to him, Estrada answered in the negative. “Hindi pa [humihingi ng tawad]. Wala naman akong inaantay [na humingi siya ng tawad]," Estrada said. (Not yet. And I’m not waiting for one.) Asked if he was hurt by the gesture, Estrada continued: “Siyempre.. Pero napatawad ko na." (Of course. But I’ve let that pass already.) Erap’s trust rating goes up Estrada’s ratings caught up in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, gaining two points from previous survey results. Estrada scored 15 percent, third to Aquino’s 36 percent and Villar’s 34 percent. Aquino lost six points, while Villar lost one point. Estrada’s camp is targeting a 30-percent trust rating come Election Day to ensure his victory through house-to-house campaigns from JEEP members. “We are seeing a six-percent increase in President Erap’s ratings by the end of March, and another six percent by the end of April, and 30 percent by Election Day," JEEP chairman Horacio Morales said. Donations to bishops Estrada also defended his donations to the Catholic Church, reacting to Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales’ statement frowning on candidates’ donation to the Church in exchange for photo opportunities. “Of course I donate in exchange for nothing. ‘Di pamumulitiko iyon. Nagsasakristan pa ako noon, nagdodonate na ako." (It’s not politicking. Even when I served as an altar boy when I was younger, I already made donations.) Asked if he was seeking the support of the Catholic prelates, Estrada said that “he would love [bit of] every support" but he would not interfere with their choice. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV