THE political bandwagon that took former President Joseph Estrada to Malacañang hopes to take presidential daughter Sara Duterte to the same Palace in time for the 2022 presidential election.
According to former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino will support the young Duterte’s regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago and whoever will be chosen as standard bearer and running mate.
Jinggoy said that PMP has already sealed an alliance with Duterte’s HNP.
“It is the HNP that will choose the standard-bearer, for the presidency and the vice-presidency,” Erap’s eldest son said in a televised interview on Wednesday.
He added that he is also inclined on making a Senate comeback after an unexpected defeat in the 2019 elections.
Aside from Estrada’s PMP, other national parties such as Lakas-CMD and People’s Reform Party are also in talks to form an alliance with the young Duterte’s regional party. Lakas-CMD is currently chaired by Sen. Bong Revilla.
Estrada revealed he, Revilla, and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte met for lunch last week in Bonifacio Global City. It was also attended by other members of the Revilla family, he said.
“Renewal of friendship kasi nung last elections, magkakasama kami. There was nothing special. Basta kuwento kuwento lang,” he said of the lunch meeting.
Estrada said he “hopes” the incumbent Davao City mayor would run for office and if she does, he “will support her 100 percent.”
Interestingly, President Rodrigo Duterte’s eldest daughter has yet to make a formal announcement confirming her Palace bid. She asked the public to wait until October, when certificates of candidacy are expected to be filed.
Asked on the possibility of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno who has been reportedly being eyed as vice-presidential bet, Jinggoy said that PMP is not going to support him — unless he is chosen as a candidate of Hugpong, adding that Isko is “qualified to run for the vice-presidency or presidency” and would be a “formidable contender.”
“But of course, if he is not a member of HNP. If he is not going to be chosen as standard bearer of HNP, we will not support him,” Erap’s eldest son averred.
Moreno defeated Jinggoy’s dad, former President Joseph Estrada, who was then vying for re-election.
The younger Estrada revealed that when his father was hospitalized due to COVID-19, Moreno called him and said he would be praying for the former mayor’s recovery.
“Ina-admire ko naman sya sa pagtawag niya…I’ve never been bitter against Mayor Isko,” said Estrada.