JV meets opposition, forms party line-up

ELECTION or no elections, the united opposition is not leaving things to chance. Determined to give the administration a run for their money, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay-led United Opposition stirs Bohol political waters by sending no other than party stalwart and San Juan Mayor Joseph Ejercito to shape up a line-up that stands a chance against the administration dream roster. Bohol, perceived as tied to the navel of the administration via the established link between the administration and League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) head and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) chair Governor Erico Aumentado becomes now a virtual enemy territory for the opposition.

The LPP and the ULAP form a strong coalition with Sigaw ng Bayan in advocating for the mulled change of the charter to make it responsive to the needs of the times. Ejercito, the son of deposed president Joseph Ejercito Estrada came Friday with a rather tall errand from Binay: meet the local opposition and draw a complete dream-team slate from the top provincial post to a complete town roster that could give the administration the shivers. This is when the administration led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pushes through with the regular elections less than 8 months from now. Considered as possible opposition standard bearers during a gathering Friday were former governor Rene Relampagos and incumbent Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan N. Lim, sources reaching the Post said. City Mayor Lim is the highest elected official from Partido ng Masang Pilipino, a party founded by then President Estrada.

Separate reports reaching the Post also bared that former Senator Ernesto Herrera was among those considered by the opposition. Herrera however does not stay in Bohol long enough to effectively reign the opposition. Speaking to the gathered members of the opposition party here, Ejercito however shared that there is a strong perception among the opposition party that GMA is less enthusiastic about an election. He said the perception is anchored on a bed-rock reality straight from recent survey: occupying the most winnable senatorial candidates come from the opposition roster while GMAs favorite candidate, Mike Defensor tails the list at number 19.

The fact could have been the reason why the administration is into tinkering the constitution, he charged. While the San Juan top official stresses that he is not totally against a charter change, what he is apprehensive of is the apparent lack of study in the move. There has to be a comprehensive study on the cha-cha move as it could not be done every year, or at the whims of political leaders. Asked an estimate on the governors and mayors now swearing allegiance to the party, Ejercito says the crucial Internal Revenue Allotment binds the leaders to toe the line of the administration, giving a not so definite accounting as to who stays where in the country's party affiliations. “Instead of tinkering with the charter now, why don't the Arroyo administration address important issues of curbing graft and corruption, political killings and the raised legitimacy issue hounding her stay in power?” Ejercito asks.

l