Senators JV Ejercito, Grace Poe, Jinggoy Estrada and Vice President Jejomar Binay. FILE PHOTOS
The once-politically-solid Estrada clan, whose influence peaked when its patriarch was the tenant in Malacañang, now appears to be breaking up and supporting different candidates in next year’s general elections.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, who served as Vice President from 1992 to 1998 and then President from 1998 to 2001, remains the dean of the opposition but is staying away from the aspirations of his United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) partner, Vice President Jejomar Binay, to replace President Benigno Aquino III in the Palace next year.
During Independence Day rites at Rizal Park in Manila on Friday, Estrada made known that he had become the latest to jilt Binay, after President Aquino dashed the Vice President’s hope of endorsement of his presidential candidacy on Thursday and Sen. Grace Poe, today’s most-wooed political star, trashed the UNA leader’s vice presidential overtures two weeks ago.
READ: Erap Estrada rejects offer to become Binay running mate
Jinggoy supports Binay
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, the former President’s son, the only opposition politician in the Estrada family with a sizable following, has been touted as a possible running mate for Binay.
Also an UNA member, Senator Estrada supports Binay’s presidential candidacy and though detained for his alleged role in the P10-billion pork barrel scam is not barred from running, as he has not yet been convicted.
‘You can count on me’
Introducing Poe during Independence Day rites in San Juan City on Friday, Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, an UNA member, said the junior senator could count on his support in next year’s elections.
Ejercito, another son of the former President, said he and his mother, San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, would support Poe because of the “principle and conviction” that she had shown in her work in the Senate.
READ: Grace Poe, JV Ejercito lead Independence Day celebration in San Juan / Binay ally defends Poe over citizenship, foundling issues
“You can count on me,” Ejercito told Poe, who was dressed in a white maria clara, as if in answer to her detractors from the opposition who are questioning her Philippine citizenship and residency.
‘Secret’
“[But] let’s keep it a secret,” Ejercito said, with hundreds of city employees, officials and residents listening. “After all, we understand each other.”
For this year’s Independence Day rites, Ejercito said the city broke tradition by inviting a junior senator as guest of honor. In 2013 and 2014, the city had for its guest speaker Sen. Gringo Honasan and Senate President Franklin Drilon, respectively.
“You might graduate early from the Senate, that’s why we invited you this year,” Ejercito, who served three terms as mayor of San Juan, told Poe.
And while Poe has yet to declare her candidacy, Ejercito asked her not to forget San Juan, where she topped the 2013 senatorial election, surpassing him by 1,250 votes.
“I hope you won’t forget San Juan if you’d be fortunate enough [in your race] to Malacañang,” he told Poe, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Binay, facing allegations of corruption in the Senate and graft and plunder charges in the Office of the Ombudsman, had floated the idea of taking Estrada aboard as his vice presidential running mate, billing it the “BE(Binay-Estrada)st team.”
‘I’ve been there’
Reporters asked Estrada about it on Friday and he said, with Binay standing beside him, “I’ve been there. I am already done with that.”
When the reporters turned to him, Binay, showing respect for Estrada, said: “You all heard what the President (Estrada) said. We should respect whatever he [says].”
JV, mom for Poe
Poe, an independent who topped the 2013 senatorial election, is running second to Binay in the polls, ahead of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, the ruling Liberal Party’s presumptive presidential candidate.
Her followers and admirers are prodding Poe to run for President, but she says she has not decided whether to seek higher office.
President Aquino has been calling Poe to meetings in Malacañang, but it is unclear whether he is persuading her to run as his chosen presidential candidate or as Roxas’ vice presidential running mate.
Poe has said that she prefers to remain independent and that if she will run, she will be more comfortable running with Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, also an independent and with a long-term plan, beginning with the vice presidency.
READ: Poe ‘comfortable’ with Escudero as her VP
Not official declaration
Later, Ejercito told reporters that what he said was not yet an official declaration of his support for Poe’s candidacy.
“I said what I said of Sen. Grace Poe because of our work together in the Senate. We crossed party lines by fighting and standing up [together] in various issues. Hence, when the time comes when [I] have to decide [who to support] that would be a big factor. I can’t set that aside,” he said.
Ejercito cited the freedom of information bill and the investigation of the clash between police commandos and Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, on Jan. 25 as examples of his joint work with Poe.
He said he hoped his family would not come to the point of choosing between Poe and Binay, as the Vice President is a longtime friend of the Estradas.
“We fought the past administration together. That would be difficult to throw away, [as we worked] together in the worst of times. It would be a really tough decision,” he said.
Guia Gomez decided
His mother, however, appeared to have already made up her mind.
Between Poe and Binay, Mayor Gomez said she would give her vote to the senator.
“[I]n the first place she’s from San Juan. She’s family. She’s very close to us. We know her, her capabilities, abilities, how sincere she is,” Gomez said.
She added: “I’d go for one who is a capable woman leader.”
And if Poe seeks the Estradas’ support in the elections, Gomez said the family would go “all out” for her.
A friend’s support
In a separate interview, Poe maintained that she has yet to decide whether to run.
“Senator JV is a friend. He’s close to us. If he has trust [in me], I think it’s because [we’ve known] each other for quite a long time. I am thankful for his trust. But it’s different if you’re being endorsed by a friend. That’s natural,” Poe said.
She said that at present she could not presume to have the support of the Estrada bloc in UNA.
“There are political considerations. For me, family and friends are important. But we must do what is right for the country. So if there are reasons [why we cannot get their support], we understand. What is important is that we push our own principles,” she said.
Poe said she respected former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras’ right to bring a petition for her disqualification should she decide to run, but she was hurt by his comment that she was “ambitious.”
“It’s as if a person has no right to dream of serving the public. If he files it in court, it would be an opportunity for me to defend myself. I have nothing to hide. I respect the law and I pray for justice,” she said.
Paras, an ally of Poe’s father, the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr., who unsuccessfully ran for President in 2004, is questioning Poe’s residency and citizenship.
He said Poe had been using a US passport as late as 2009. He also said that he would look into her citizenship, as she was a foundling.
READ: Foundling issue favors Grace Poe
Not just her fight
Responding, Poe said: “This fight is not just my fight. In our country, many kids are abandoned. I myself am thankful that I was given the proper care. I just hope [they] wouldn’t belittle anyone. Like I said, where could I come from but here?”
Her potential rival, Binay, who served as her father’s campaign manager, had said he would not challenge her qualification or question her citizenship.
But on Friday, Binay took a swipe at her during a visit to Infanta, Quezon province.
Joking about Infanta Vice Mayor Filipina Grace America’s name, Binay said: “Vice Mayor Grace . . . Grace, Grace? She’s the only Grace I know whose surname is America. I know someone named Grace but she is not a naturalized citizen.”
READ: LP solon: Poe’s citizenship non-issue unlike corruption raps vs others / Grace Poe is clearly Filipino – election lawyer
Later, Binay told reporters that he was not referring to Poe.
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