SAN Juan Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito
yesterday challenged President Arroyo and her allies in Congress
to follow his example by asking relatives not to run for public
office.
Ejercito, on the request of his father
detained President Joseph Estrada, the other day dropped plans
to run for the Senate and opted to seek re-election.
Estrada has also asked his wife, Sen. Loi
Estrada, not to seek re-election.
Ejercito said if Malacañang and its allies in
Congress "have an ounce of principle left in them, they should
prevail upon their relatives not to run."
He said his decision only showed that the
Estrada family is not power-hungry as portrayed by the
administration.
Ejercito was initially included in the
senatorial line-up of the United Opposition (UNO).
The UNO slate also includes Rep. Allan Peter
Cayetano (Taguig-Pateros), who is a brother of Sen. Pia Cayetano,
and lawyer Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, son of Senate minority
leader Aquino "Nene" Pimentel Jr.
Ejercito said the issue of political dynasty
should not be the focus of the May elections but the legitimacy
and mis-governance of the Arroyo administration.
"I, Alan and Koko are running not because of
our family names or background but rather we believe that we
have the capabilities and the track record of serving the people
unlike our critics," Ejercito said.
The President’s eldest son, Juan Miguel, is
seeking re-election as Pampanga representative while her other
son, Dato, is reportedly running for representative of Camarines
Sur.
Her brother-in-law, Ignacio Arroyo, is also
seeking re-election as Nergros representative while her
sister-in-law, Marilou, is reportedly gunning for an Iloilo
congressional seat.
Michael Defensor, who resigned yesterday as
presidential chief of staff to prepare for his Senate run, is a
nephew of Sen. Miriam Santiago.
NO CHANCE
Ejercito said Malacañang’s spin masters are
raising the political dynasty issue against UNO because the
administration’s candidates do not have a chance in the
elections.
He expressed hope his decision not to seek a
Senate seat would further solidify the opposition.
"The cheating machinery used in the 2004
election against Fernando Poe Jr. is very much alive today and
they will not hesitate to use it for their selfish interest… We
must unite and end this tyranny of lies, cheating, stealing and
illegitimacy," he said.
He said Sonia Roco, widow of senator Raul
Roco, will likely take his slot in the UNO slate.
He said Mrs. Roco is well qualified and will
represent the women sector and the Bicol region where her
husband came from.
Makati Mayor and UNO president Jejomar Binay
said the coalition respects Ejercito’s decision.
"The withdrawal of Mayor JV Ejercito from the
senatorial ticket of the opposition is a decision of the Pwersa
ng Masang Pilipino and the Estrada family and UNO respects that
decision and wish him well," said Binay.
UNITED BY CONVICTION
He said the move proves the opposition is
united by its conviction and its members are willing to set
aside personal interests.
"We are united by our conviction. The higher
interest of forming a broad united front against the
illegitimate regime of Mrs. Arroyo takes precedence over
personal interest," Binay added.
Defensor said Ejercito’s decision is a
"positive move" and a "big sacrifice" for the Estrada family.
"I respect and commend his move," he said.
Defensor said the political dynasty issue
does not apply to him and Sen. Santiago.
"Second degree na kami. Puwede na kaming
magpakasal," he said.
He said he and Sen. Santiago have always been
on opposite sides of the political fence. He said he was a
Liberal Party member when his aunt had her own People’s Reform
Party during the Ramos administration.
He said Sen. Santiago was with the
administration while he was with the opposition during the
Estrada administration.
UPHILL FIGHT
Defensor said he will file his certificate of
candidacy at the Commission on Elections on Feb. 12, the
deadline for senatorial aspirants.
Defensor, in his farewell speech before
Palace reporters, said wooing the country’s 45 million voters
would be "an uphill fight" but "it is the odds which have made
it more exciting."
"On Valentine’s Day I will start my courting,
and I know that the people will say yes," he said.
He said he is not bothered by the latest
Pulse Asia survey which showed him at No. 15. He said the
campaign period has not yet started and he has not yet
introduced himself to voters.
Defensor also said the administration’s Team
Unity ticket has been firmed up and will include one or two
members from the Wednesday Group in the Senate. He refused to
name them.
The Wednesday Group is composed of Senate
President Manny Villar, majority leader Francis Pangilinan and
Senators Joker Arroyo and Ralph Recto.
Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. has identified
the administration bets as Defensor, Reps. Juan Miguel Zubiri
and Prospero Pichay, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson, former
senators Teresa Aquino-Oreta and Vicente Sotto III, and Sen.
Edgardo Angara.
NO DECISION YET
De Venecia said Recto and Arroyo, and Adel
Tamano, the son of former senator Mamintal Tamano, were also
included in the ticket but would be "subject to confirmation."
He said the line-up will be announced either
by Saturday or Sunday.
The Wednesday Group met Thursday night but
failed to reach a decision. The members were set to meet again
last night.
Villar, Pangilinan and Recto said they were
trying to stick together but have not decided on which ticket to
align themselves with.
"We have failed to reach an agreement as a
group at this time. It’s a stalemate. We have agreed that we
will continue to try and ensure that, until the deadline of
filing, our decision as a group be unanimous," Pangilinan said.
"We want everybody on board," he added.
Pangilinan said so far, three of the four
members of the group agreed to run under a common ticket "and
one of us remains unconvinced."
Sources said Arroyo and Recto are inclined to
run under President Arroyo’s "unity ticket."
Villar earlier said he could not run under
the administration ticket.
There were talks some members would run as
independents.
Pangilinan belongs to the Liberal Party
faction of Sen. Franklin Drilon, which has joined calls for
President Arroyo’s resignation. – Ashzel Hachero, Regina
Bengco and JP Lopez
