Jinggoy confident of Erap’s ascend in presidential race
With a week to go before the May 10 elections, Senator Jinggoy Estrada is confident that his father, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), will clinch a win in the presidential race.
“Ako’y naniniwala na makakahabol pa kami pagkat sa nakikita niyong surveys, lahat ng kumakandidato ay bumababa. Si Erap lang ang tumataas. So palagay ko, with one week to go ay pag dating ng May 10, kami siguro ang magwawagi, hopefully,” Estrada said.
Based on Pulse Asia, Inc. opinion survey conducted last April 23-25, Erap tied with Nacionalista Party’s Senator Manny Villar, Jr. at second place.
Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III continues to dominate the presidential race with 39% while Erap and Villa are tied at 20%.
Jinggoy also believed that the endorsement of Senator Francis Escudero of Aquino won’t affect Erap’s candidacy.
“That’s the call of Senator Escudero. That’s his choice. Marami kaming mga leaders na ini-endorse si Presidente Erap. Wala akong masasabi diyan. That’s politics,” he said.
Jinggoy further added, “Walang epekto sa amin. Basta kami, kampanya lang kami ng kampanya. Araw-araw lang kami sa labas na nanunuyo ng mga bumatante para umanib sa amin.”
When asked his presidential preference had Erap did not run for the presidency, the senator said that he would choose Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro, Jr.
“Matagal ko nang sinasabi kahit ng pumunta ako sa Cebu na kung ayaw niyo kay Gibo, kay Erap na kayo. Dahil sa lahat ng kumakandidato, si Gibo, segunda sa Tatay ko, kitang-kita naman natin sa mga performance niya sa forum na napakagaling at bata, siyempre after my Dad,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jinggoy said that he is willing to undergo a psychiatric test if needed.
“Ako, okay lang. Pero ang Tatay ko, hindi na kailangan kasi araw-araw niyang kinakausap ang isang psychiatrist dahil ang nanay (former Senator Loi Estrada) ko ay isang psychiatrist,” jested.
On the other hand, Jinggoy brushed off claims that he’s been leading the senatorial poll survey because of his being an “artista.”
Instead, the re-electionist senator claimed that the people wanted him to go back to Senate because of what he has done as a solon and not as an actor.
