BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR

CHIEF presidential counsel Sergio Apostol yesterday branded the term-sharing proposal being proposed by the opposition in 2010 as unconstitutional as he said it defeats the six-year term of the country’s chief executive.

Under the proposal floated by President Joseph Estrada’s spokesman, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, he would only serve for three years and hand over the reins of government to his vice president.

San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito has said Estrada is amenable to the proposal.

Apostol reiterated Estrada could no longer run in 2010 as it is prohibited by the Constitution.

"Whether he finished it (his term) or not. Part din iyun ng `whereases’ ng presidential pardon," he said.

He acknowledged that Estrada might ignore the provisions of his pardon, but said it could be used as a ground for his disqualification.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Estrada agreed to the provisions of the pardon when he received and signed the document last Oct. 26. President Arroyo issued the pardon Oct. 25.

"I cannot go back to the whys and wherefores. The fact is there was a pardon extended. There were conditions that were set in the pardon itself and the pardon was supposed to be accepted and that in fact was accepted and that was the basis for the release of the former president," he said.

Under the pardon, Arroyo acknowledged Estrada’s "public commitment to no longer seek any elective position or office."

Bunye declined to say if the pardon would be revoked if Estrada decides to run. "We’ll probably cross the bridge when we get there."

Estrada was convicted of plunder and sentenced to life imprisonment on Sept. 12.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said the executive clemency granted to his father was absolute and unconditional.

"Iyung inisyu ni President Arroyo ay absolute pardon. It restored my father’s civil rights which means he can vote and he can run for public office," Jinggoy said.

Jinggoy expressed misgivings on the "term-sharing" proposal. "Sa Senado lang puwede yan (term-sharing) dahil 24 lang kaming senador ang nag-uusap. Hindi puwedeng ipakipag-sapalaran ang pagka-presidente."

Jinggoy said there is nothing definite yet if his father would again seek the presidency.

Estrada had hinted that he might run for President if the opposition fails to pick a common standard bearer.

"Malayo pa naman ang eleksyon. If the opposition can’t get their act together, that (possibility of Estrada seeking re-election) remains an option. I think it will be better for the opposition to unite," Jinggoy said.

Asked to confirm reports that he might run as vice president in 2010, Jinggoy said: "In fairness to the presidential wannabes (Senate President Manny) Villar, (Sen. Mar) Roxas, (Panfilo) Lacson, and (Loren) Legarda, wala pa namang lumalapit sa akin para mag-bise sa kanila."

LIMITED CANDIDATES

Ed Malay, media adviser of President Fidel Ramos, said the administration has a limited field of viable candidates for president.

"It is common knowledge within the political circles that the administration currently does not have a candidate viable enough to go up against the ranks of the opposition which is crowded with presidential wannabes," he said.

He said by issuing statements that patronize Estrada, the Arroyo administration is showing that it is afraid of the possibility that Estrada might ultimately decide to run in 2010.

Apostol has said Estrada, if he decides to run, remains a threat to candidates aspiring to be president.

Aside from Villar, other opposition presidential aspirants are Lacson, Legarda, Sen. Francis Escudero, and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, president of the United Opposition.

Malay said the administration’s option is limited to Vice President Noli de Castro and Sen. Richard Gordon.

"Vice President De Castro, despite his impressive ratings in the surveys, has yet to make known his intention while all indications point to Senator Gordon leading a political organization that will be independent of Malacañang," he said.

Malay said if Estrada runs, "I will personally petition the Supreme Court for a ruling that would allow former presidents Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos and even the current president to be allowed to run in 2010."

MANNY VS MAR

Two years before the presidential elections, a word war has escalated between the Liberal and Nacionalista parties.

"As far as the Nacionalista Party is concerned, we know the country will be better off with the NP platform of economic independence, the return of integrity in government and the tried and tested leadership of Senate President Villar at the helm," said NP spokesman Gilbert Remulla.

LP members Lorenzo Tañada III of Quezon and Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa have insisted that Roxas is the best among presidential aspirants.

Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, a senior LP member, has said that Villar has already put one over Roxas because of his "silent ties" with Speaker Jose de Venecia, a trusted lieutenant of Ramos, the party chair emeritus.

Reports said Villar would be adopted by the Lakas-CMD ruling party as its standard bearer if De Venecia would be able to muster enough support to beat the choice of President Arroyo.

Roxas could use his strong alliance with President Arroyo to win the support of Lakas members.

LAKAS GEARING UP

The Lakas party will hold a two-day meeting next week to discuss guidelines on choosing its standard bearer in 2010.

Apostol said they are not discounting the possibility that their standard bearer may come from the Cabinet or from a party allied with Lakas.

Among the names being floated as possible administration candidates are Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Villar, Roxas and De Castro. – With Ashzel Hachero and Wendell Vigilia