JOEY3 LIVE

I guess by this time most everyone has heard or read that I have been included in the senatorial slate of former President Erap Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masa. To be honest, I had a hard time deciding if I should run or not, and with what party.

For the record, I had been invited by two other opposition parties, but Erap asked me first. In the past few months, he had invited me on several occasions to join his Pasasalamat caravan. I was amazed at what I saw.

The 72-year-old Erap excites large crowds as much as any teen idol everywhere in the Philippines . I think the only other person who can match his charisma is his late best friend Fernando Poe Jr.

Clearly, the Filipino people love Erap. He, in turn, also loves them. And he will be the first to admit that he is far from perfect, but even his enemies know that this man is quick to forgive and forget.

I feel honored that he has taken it upon himself to take me under his wing, considering that he defeated my father in the ‘98 presidential elections. In these last few months I have come to know him well. What we see is really what we get.

He has that terrific sense of humor that instantly endears him to everyone he meets. He is also quite the cowboy, eating with his hands in karihans and exchanging jokes with men, women and children alike.

When he asked me to run for senator, my main concern was the logistics involved. Ever since I exposed the ZTE-national broadband network scam my businesses have been down. Most of my friends in the business community have told me that we can go back to dealing with each other after the present administration is no longer in power.

But dear friend Erap Estrada convinced me to run anyway. Victory will be sweeter if I am able to overcome such awesome odds stacked against me, he said. For me the clincher was the same friendship I have developed with Makati Mayor Jojo Binay. As a Makati resident, he guaranteed my safety following the numerous threats I received after my ZTE-NBN expose.

I remain good friends with Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party and Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party. I wish them the best.

I must also admit that I was much closer to former President Cory Aquino than to Senator Noynoy Aquino, but I also wish for the best for the son and namesake of my hero Ninoy Aquino.

I am heartened that recent surveys show me having a good chance of making it, but I know it will be a long and tough drive. I am running in order to win, but there will be no shame in an honorable defeat. The most important thing is to rise whenever we fall, and be the better man for the experience.

Tags: Add new tag, Cory Aquino, Fernando Poe Jr., Liberal Party, Manny Villar, Mar Roxas, Mayor Jejomar Binay, Nacionalista Party, Noynoy Aquino, President Joseph Estrada, Pwersa ng Masa, Senatorial slate