Erap opens driveto reclaim Palace
The Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) kicked off its drive to get back Malacañang for former President Joseph Estrada with a rally at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo.
Thousands of supporters trooped to the area to hear Estrada and his running mate, Makati mayor and United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar Binay introduce the PMP senatorial slate led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
Estrada said his running again for the highest post of the land was to give the poor a chance to reclaim their place and standing in society which the present government he added has sorely failed.
"Narito tayo para ibalik sa masang Pilipino ang gobyerno. Narito tayo para ipaalam sa kanila na hindi na tayo papayag na nakawin hindi lamang ang ating boto, kundi pati ang kabang yaman at ang dignidad ng ating bansa," he said.
Estrada was referring to the 2004 elections when his buddy, actor Fernando Poe Jr. lost by a slim margin to President Arroyo whose victory was tainted by allegations of massive fraud that culminated in the revelation of the "Hello Garci" tape scandal in 2005.
Estrada introduced Binay as the country’s best- ever mayor, citing his accomplishments in transforming Makati into the country’s financial and business capital today with more than P10 billion in annual revenues.
"Di lang siya best mayor kundi the best mayor our country ever had. Ang nagawa niya sa Makati ay di pa nagagawa ng kahit sinong mayor kaya wag niyo po siyang ihihiwalay sa akin. Pag siya po ang naging vice president ko makakatulog ako ng mahimbing," he added.
Estrada also asked their supporters to vote for the party’s senatorial slate led by Enrile whom he described as "pinakamagaling na senador ng ating bansa."
"Sa ngayon kahit na pagsama-samahin ang utak ng lahat ng mga senator pati na ang aking anak na si Jinggoy ay di pa rin uubra sa kanya," he said adding "pero si Jinggoy naman mas mataas pa ang naabot sa akin sa Senado dahil naging Pro Tempore sya."
He said former Sen. Francisco "Kit" Tatad is marunong at ma-prinsipyong tao while another candidate, former Negros Rep. Apolinario "Jun" Lozada is "prime to the Senate post."
Joey de Venecia III, son and namesake of former Speaker Jose de Venecia was also there along with Atty. JV Bautista and Agusan Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" Plaza.
Rounding up the party’s senatorial slate are guest candidates, detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, re-electionist senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ramon "Bong" Revilla.
Binay asked the crowd not to be deceived by poseurs and turncoats, those who never succeeded in improving the lives of people, and who are bereft of sufficient experience in understanding the reality of grinding poverty, squalor and hopelessness.
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