In an interview over ANC today, the spokesperson of former President Joseph Estrada said that the second leading contender in the presidential race is not inclined to file any formal protest before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal should Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino be proclaimed.
“We continue to study the many reports of electoral fraud from various candidates, both winners and losers, across the country, as well as the electronic results which we cannot seem to reconcile with ground reports. However, President Estrada is no longer inclined to file any protest. He will respect whatever final outcome is pronounced by the Joint Canvassing Committee in Congress,” Margaux Salcedo, spokesperson of Estrada said.
Estrada was earlier reported by an international correspondent of ABS-CBN to have offered his services to Aquino although he had not yet formally conceded. Salcedo clarified that Estrada will not concede prior to the final conclusion of canvassing by Congress. “Should Senator Aquino be proclaimed the next president, President Estrada will take on the role of elderly statesman and would be glad to work with the next administration to pursue his unfinished pro-poor programs. However, he will wait until the proclamation is made by Congress before engaging in any talks with Senator Aquino.”
Salcedo noted that Estrada and Aquino can very well work together because they are both from the Opposition. “In her final days, President Estrada also became very close to President Cory Aquino, especially after her public apology which meant a lot to him, so it will be easy for President Erap to support Senator Aquino in whatever capacity if he and when he is proclaimed,” Salcedo said.
Estrada is presently in London, even if canvassing has yet to be concluded, to attend the graduation rites of an acknowledged illegitimate daughter.
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Filed under: Erap Statements, congressional canvass, erap, erap concede, joseph estrada, philippine elections
