Bionic Erap says health improving

Here comes the Bionic Man.

With titanium implanted in his knees, ousted President Joseph Estrada feels like Steve Austin, hero of the 1980s American television series, “The Six-Million Dollar Man.”

Austin was known as the “Bionic Man” after his feet and right arm were rebuilt with the use of electro-mechanical prosthesis following injuries in a plane crash.

Estrada’s knees were implanted with titanium after an operation in Hong Kong to correct injuries three years ago.

Speaking over radio station dzBB, Estrada said the titanium in his knees has made him a Bionic Man who can outrun anybody just like Austin did in the television series.

“My health is getting better,” he said.

“I’m fit right now because of the continuous support given to me by the people.

“I am not getting sick. My knees have (felt) better after (they were) operated (on). I am now a Bionic Man because of the titanium implanted in my knees.”

Feeling like a Bionic Man, the 70-year-old Estrada earlier said he is “not closing the door” to running again for the presidency in 2010.

“It will depend on how things will be,” he said.

The continuous support and love being showered on him by the masses have made him even stronger at his age, Estrada said.

However, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it is too early to tell what Estrada is actually thinking since he has just been freed by President Arroyo.

“I am certain that after some time we will hear some definite things (from Mr. Estrada),” he said.

Ermita said the pardon granted to  Estrada states that he has publicly announced hat he would no longer seek any elective post.

But this could be subject to various interpretations, particularly by the lawyers of Estrada, he added.

Ermita said the Constitution would have to be examined in the case of Estrada because of his circumstances.

Since he did not finish his term, it is not clear if Estrada would be considered as having served as president and thereby prohibited from running again, he added.

In the meantime, Estrada should just be allowed to take his time to gather his bearings since he is still adjusting to life as a free man, Ermita said.

On the other hand, Sen. Richard Gordon has hit Estrada on his overtures that he might run for president again in 2010.

In defense of his father, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada accused Gordon of sour-graping because he was removed him as chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) when the elder Estrada was president.

“Masama pa rin ang loob niya kasi natanggal siya dati sa SBMA ni Pangulong Estrada,” he said.

“E kailangan maglagay kasi ng tao si President Estrada dati dun na mapagkakatiwalaan niya… Dapat manalamin muna siya bago niya siraan si Pangulong Erap.”

However, the two senators tried not to bring the issue to a personal level during plenary session in respect to the rule on parliamentary courtesy.

Senator Estrada unleashed statements pertaining to the alleged undue control of Gordon and his family in Olongapo City, where Gordon served as mayor.

Gordon should first look into his track record before saying that he has a good public service record in his bid to run for the presidency 2010, he added. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Marvin Sy, Christina Mendez