Former president Joseph Estrada has consulted several economic advisers regarding their top contenders for the presidential race this coming 2010, ABS-CBN News reported Sunday.
United Opposition spokesman Adel Tamano said Estrada’s action was seen as a preparation for the elections.
Tamano said Estrada will base his political endorsement on the result of the consultation with the economic advisers.
The opposition camp believes Estrada’s charisma with the masses remains a big factor in winning the polls. Tamano added that whoever gets the former president’s nod has a very strong chance of winning.
The UnO spokesman also urged the political contenders in the opposition not to prioritize their egos and instead unite. He said that unity will be their key in fighting off rampant cheating in the elections.
Estrada’s spokesman Margaux Salcedo agreed Tamano’s statement. She said that the former president is presently scrutinizing each member of the opposition to determine who will be the “chosen one”.
She said among the factors being considered by Estrada is the contender’s attitude, position and opinion concerning issues that affect the masses.
News about Estrada’s consultation came out after Lakas leaders released the names of tentative senatorial candidates for the 2010 national elections.
Led by presidential son Rep. Mikey Arroyo of Pampanga, the chosen ones will be holding regional sorties starting June 16 for consultations with Lakas leaders nationwide.
Also, during regional consultations, the planned merger of Lakas with President Arroyo’s party Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) will be ironed out.
Besides Arroyo, also in the tentative list of administration senatorial candidates are former presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor, Prospero “Butch” Pichay, former Sen. Ralph Recto and former Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson” of Ilocos Sur—who all ran but lost during the 2007 elections; former Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid who was pitted by the administration against Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay but lost; Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, and Education Secretary Jesli Lapuz, Optical Media Board head and actor Edu Manzano.
Others in the list are Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando, Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte of Quezon City and Reps. Edcel Lagman of Albay; Monico Puentebella of Bacolod City; Nationalist People’s Coalition Rep. Abraham Mitra of Palawan; Art Defensor of Iloilo; Neptali Gozales II of Mandaluyong and Ed Zialcita of Parañaque City.
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