Erap ready to take on all debate comers

from The Daily Tribune Jan 15, 2010
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100115hed5.html

Opposition standard bearer former President Joseph Estrada is more than ready, willing and able to take on all debate comers in any public forum anywhere in the country.

Estrada’s campaign manager former Ambassador Ernesto Maceda issued this statement to dispel talk that the former president was avoiding head-to-head encounters with other presidential candidates as allegedly shown by his absence at a recent forum sponsored by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

“To set the record straight, President Estrada has already received 21 invitations and has in fact accepted several of these which are scheduled for the next few weeks,” Maceda clarified.

“He was not at the Ayala Alabang forum because he never received an invitation, and had to beg off from the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation-sponsored forum because of a previous engagement,” he added.

The La Salle Alabang forum whose organizers, led by Vicky Cuisia, wife of the current Namfrel chairman, Jose “Joey” Cuisia, deliberately excluded Estrada from the forum.

The Cuisias are known supporters of Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino.

Maceda stressed that Estrada was an active participant in several of the earlier debates organized by various groups and organizations, including the ANC forum at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM); the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) at the UST; Isang Sagot by the GMA7 network; and another by the PPCRV at the Plaza Miranda in Manila.

“It would be physically impossible for President Estrada to accept all these invitations, but most assuredly he will be accepting many more subject of course to his availability,” Maceda explained. “The organizers must also understand that during the campaign season, a candidate must also set aside precious time to go around the country and meet with his allies, party leaders and volunteers in political meetings and conventions.”

Maceda revealed that Estrada has already accepted invitations to participate in the following fora: the  Governance Forum sponsored by the Philippine Futuristic Society and the Lyceum of the Phils. on Jan. 20; Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jan. 22; De La Salle forum, Jan. 29.