Erap: Presidency is providential

MANILA, Philippines - Becoming president of the country is “providential” and is decided by destiny, according to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

“The presidency is providential. If it is your destiny to become president, it will come and you cannot do anything about it,” he said.

Estrada made the statement yesterday on questions whether he would again seek the presidency in 2016 following the decision of the Supreme Court junking the petitions to disqualify him as Manila mayor.

Estrada cited the case of President Aquino who won over him in the 2010 presidential elections by a small margin.

“Take for example the case of President Aquino. He is not well known in the country. Had his mother not pass away, he will not become president. He is not that well known. It’s destiny. That is why the presidency is providential,” he said.

Estrada maintained he has no decision yet on whether he would seek the presidency in 2016.

“It will come, if it is my destiny to get it for the second time around. But at present, I have no decision yet. I am more inclined to retire after my first term as mayor of Manila. Besides, I have a good vice mayor and I believe he can continue all the good programs that I have started,” Estrada said, referring to Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.

Estrada reiterated he will be forced to run for reelection if Moreno chooses to run for senator or congressman.

Moreno is on his last term as vice mayor of Manila.

At the same time, Estrada slammed Romulo Macalintal for using his popularity to boost his senatorial bid in the 2016 elections.

“He is just trying to get attention from the public. He wants to run for senator. He wants to boost his senatorial bid at my expense,” Estrada said.

According to Estrada, Macalintal is creating noise about his being barred from seeking the presidency despite the Supreme Court ruling declaring that the pardon granted to him by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is absolute and that he could run for public office.

Estrada maintained the high tribunal has spoken and upheld the voice of the people of Manila who voted for him as mayor in the 2013 elections.

“He (Macalintal) is not even popular,” he added.

Macalintal on Friday said the 1987 Constitution prevents Estrada from taking another shot at the presidency.

Estrada earlier said he would seek the presidency in 2016 if neither Vice President Jejomar Binay nor Sen. Grace Poe would run.

He said the absolute pardon granted to him by Arroyo restored his “full civil and political rights.”

“It means that if I can vote, I can be voted upon. I can still run. I am not running for reelection (as president). The framers of the Constitution are very clear when they included that provision in the Constitution. They want to prevent the incumbent president from using the government resources in their reelection. I am not an incumbent president and I am not running for reelection (as president), that is why I can still run,” Estrada said.

Estrada, however, stressed he has not yet made up his mind. “I still have one year and a half to decide,” he said.