By Philip Tubeza, Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Why just be a “kingmaker†when you can be the “king†yourself?
Fresh from getting the nod of a division of the Commission on Elections for him to take another shot at Malacañang, deposed President Joseph Estrada Wednesday said he would not withdraw from the presidential race.
Estrada said he would slug it out “to the end†because he wanted to be “king again.â€
Estrada said the Comelec decision would have a “big impact†on his campaign†because his detractors were spreading “disinformation†that he would withdraw from the race or be disqualified.
Now that the poll body has ruled in his favor, he expects his ratings in surveys to rise.
Estrada, the candidate of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, has been a consistent third placer, after Senators Benigno “Noynoy†Aquino III and Manuel Villar.
Speaking at a forum at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, Estrada dismissed allegations that he would eventually withdraw and play the role of “kingmaker†by supporting another presidential candidate.
“I want to be king again myself (and) recover my throne that was stolen from me,†he told reporters when asked if he was going to be a “kingmaker.â€
“Why will I withdraw? No way. No way,†he said. “I have a contract with the Filipino people—till death do us part.â€
The Comelec’s second division ruled that Estrada was not covered by the constitutional provision barring an incumbent president from reelection because he was not a sitting president seeking a second term.
He hurdled the first legal obstacle in his second run for the presidency when the division dismissed the three petitions seeking to declare him a nuisance candidate and to disqualify him from the May 10 presidential election.
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