Erap still influential –Palace

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada continues to hold influence in Philippine politics, Malacañang said Thursday, a day after the former President skipped the launch of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) as a political party.

During a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Estrada had proven during the past two elections that he has political clout.

“Kung ang pagbabatayan ay ‘yung mga aktuwal na reyalidad pampulitika, pansinin natin na noong 2010 si Pangulong Joseph Ejercito Estrada ang pumangalawa kay Pangulong Aquino, at ‘nung hinangad niya ‘yung maging alkalde [ng Maynila] ay nanalo siya,” Coloma said.

“Kaya siguro malinaw naman na mayroong impluwensya si Pangulong Estrada,” he added.

Asked if the Palace is trying to court Estrada to side with the administration in the 2016 elections, Coloma said he is not aware of such moves.

On Wednesday, Estrada did not attend UNA’s launch, although he is considered to be a stalwart of the party, together with Vice President Jejomar Binay and detained Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.

Estrada said he was too busy with other matters to attend the UNA launch, and also denied being part of the opposition party.

'Erap's opinion matters'

Coloma further said that Estrada’s opinion on politics still matters, as he is a former president.

“Tuwing mapag-uusapan ang mga bagay pampulitika, hindi maaaring tawaran ang kahalagahan ng opinyon ng isang naging pangulo ng Pilipinas, dahil iilan lang naman ang nakatamo ng pinakamataas na posisyon na ‘yan,” Coloma said.

He, however, refused to comment on whether Estrada can shake things up during the 2016 presidential polls.

“Hayaan na lang po nating ibang tao na lamang ang gumawa ng espekulasyon dahil hindi naman po ‘yon ang pangunahing tungkulin namin,” Coloma said.

Estrada had earlier admitted that he has yet to decide if he will support Binay, UNA’s presumptive standard-bearer, or his godchild, Senator Grace Poe, in the 2016 polls.

Poe, daughter of the late movie star and Estrada’s close pal Fernando Poe Jr., recently emerged as top choice to become next president and vice-president based on surveys, although she has yet to announce her plans for 2016. —KBK, GMA News