Noynoy a ‘political opportunist’ -- Erap

from People's Tonight
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/5406-noynoy-a-political-opportunist-erap.html  

FORMER President Joseph Estrada said Liberal Party standard-bearer Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Jr. has become a “political opportunist” who is willing to forsake friendships just to boost his sagging ratings in the surveys.

A visibly irked Estrada said he felt that Aquino used him for publicity when Aquino said earlier that Mrs. Arroyo erred in granting pardon to Estrada on plunder charges in 2007.

“Kaibigan ko ang mga Aquino at si Noynoy kaya nakakapagtaka na ginagamit niya ako ngayon. Katulad nga ng sinabi ko dapat maging presidente muna siya bago siya magsalita ng kung anu-ano,” Estrada, standard-bearer of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, said.

Estrada said he would like to inform Aquino that he did not ask for pardon from Malacañang.

“Baka nakakalimutan niya na ang tatay [the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino] niya ay na-convict din ng military tribunal sa kasong sedition,” he said.

Estrada also reminded Aquino that his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino sought his blessing when her son ran for Senate in 2007 under the ticket of Genuine Opposition.

“It was at the expense of Tessie Oreta, who is Aquino’s aunt, I accommodated him out of respect for the former president,” he recalled.

“Nakalimutan na yata ni Noynoy na may nagawa akong kabutihan sa kanya at sa pamilya nila. Mukhang naging beteranong political opportunist na rin ang ating kaibigan,” Estrada pointed out.

Estrada admitted he was hurt by Aquino’s “ungrateful nature,” adding that he even campaigned for Aquino in Ilocos, a bailiwick of the Marcoses.

“Nakasama siya sa top 12 dahil inilapit ko siya sa mga Ilokano,” Estrada said.

Estrada said Sen. Aquino should be reminded that the late President Cory even granted pardon to communist leader Jose Ma. Sison, ex-New People’s Army leader Dante Buscayno, and Muslim separatist leader Nur Misuari.