FORMER President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada is expected to endorse Senator Grace Poe’s presidential bid during his proclamation rally on Monday, sources said on Sunday night.
Estrada’s proclamation rally will be held in the afternoon at Liwasang Bonifacio open ground in Manila
Several sources confirmed through text messages and phone calls that Estrada would name Poe as his presidential bet in May.
The first source, who disclosed about Estrada’s choice, declined to say if Poe would attend the proclamation rally. The senator has no scheduled activity for Monday.
Another source gave a categorical “yes” answer in a text message when asked if Estrada would indeed endorse Poe during the rally. The source gave no other details.
Estrada’s endorsement of Poe was allegedly confirmed by some local officials of Manila who attended the general assembly of the Kaagapay ng Manileño Foundation held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum Sunday afternoon, the third source said.
“Mga tao ni Erap (Estrada’s nickname) yung nandun, mga konsehal mismo. Sabi nila yun daw ang sinasabi ni Erap sa kanila,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The source said Estrada’s endorsement would definitely give a boost to Poe’s presidential bid.
This early, the source dispelled speculations that the mayor would endorse Poe in exchange of any favor for his son, Senator Jose “jinggoy” Estrada, who has been charged with plunder and detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City over the “pork barrel” scam.
“Wala sa personality ni Grace na mangako, magbigay ng condition and you will not dare (ask for a quid pro quo) kung ikaw ang nakikipag-usap sa kanya. It’s just out of her character to compromise,” he said.
“Walang pinag-uusapang mga position, walang pinag-uusapang mangyayari in exchange for whatever…” the source added.
Poe’s camp was mum when sought for comment on Estrada’s supposed scheduled endorsement on her presidential bid.