Erap shows people power

Deposed president Joseph “Erap” Estrada, a formidable opposition figure, may probably run in 2010 as well, Pimentel said.

MANILA, Philippines — Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada is being mobbed everywhere he goes and can easily outdraw any other presidential aspirant anywhere.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who had been in a number of places Estrada visited recently ostensibly to thank his unwavering supporters, is putting a bet on this.

“You want to test this? Put Erap in any corner here in Metro Manila and put any of these candidates in other corners, we’ll see where the crowd will go,” Enrile said in a meeting Wednesday night with Philippine Daily Inquirer editors and reporters.

Enrile said he was looking forward to another trip with Estrada, this time in Cebu, bailiwick of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who lashed out at the movie actor-turned-politician in her nationally televised State of the Nation Address on Monday.