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FORMER President Joseph Estrada cannot seek the
presidency in 2010, according to his comrades from the opposition.
Rep. Salvador Escudero of
Sorsogon said that while Estrada is a winnable and viable candidate
for the presidency in the 2010 elections, there are legal obstacles
surrounding his case.
“He [Estrada] is a very viable
candidate but the law is very clear. He cannot run for president in
2010,” Escudero said.
The Bicolano lawmaker is
referring to the provision in the 1987 Constitution that a President
“shall not be eligible for any re-election.”
He added that with the present
composition of the Supreme Court, that provision cannot be given any
other interpretation but to disallow Estrada to seek again the
presidency.
“With the 9-6 voting of the
Supreme Court as to the ZTE issue, it cannot be given any other
interpretation as to their present composition,” he said. ZTE is
the Chinese firm that won the botched national broadband deal.
The same view was also shared by
other lawmakers who refused to be identified, for it could affect
their relations with Estrada, who is now considered as the highest
official from the opposition bloc.
The opposition bloc stressed that
they must field credible candidates for president with a credible
vice president and credible senators.
Escudero said that some of the
viable candidates who could be endorsed for the senatorial lineup
are Rep. Roilo Golez of Parañaque, Rep. Ronaldo Zamora of San Juan
and Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico of Iloilo.
Escudero declined to say if they
will accept Sen. Jamby Madrigal in the lineup but the matter will be
studied. Sources say there are lawmakers who are not in good terms
with Madrigal due her “attitude,” primarily towards Sen. Juan
Ponce Enrile.
--Jomar Canlas
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