Jinggoy defends Kris Aquinos political plans

Opposition Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada yesterday defended ABS-CBN game show host Kris Aquino who is being criticized for her alleged plan to run for the Senate or for congresswoman in the 2007 elections.

Critics said that Kris plan to run for senator was the best reason for the abolition of the Senate and Charter Change.

Kris, however, denied that she will run for any position in the next elections but she has not ruled out any political plans in the future.

He said that Kris has the right to run for any election and the Constitution guarantees that every well-meaning and responsible Filipino citizen can run for the House of Representatives, the Senate, local government office or any elective position.

Estrada said that Kris is intelligent, charismatic and she came from a well-respected political clan which makes her well qualified to run for office.

He said that being an actress or a celebrity is not a hindrance to sincerely serve the people because nobody has the monopoly on public service.

The senator said that advocates of Charter change and the abolition of the Senate should rethink their position before it is too late and Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gets a term extension which could lead to a dictatorship.

There is no law that prohibits actors and actresses from seeking an elective position as long as they want to help safeguard the welfare of the people, Estrada said. Many actors have served the country and their constituents well like Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos who have made her city more progressive.

In fact the Batangueos are convincing Mayor Vi, who is serving her third and final term in office, to run for either Batangas governor or for congresswoman in the province because the people love her, he said.

There are reports that Kris Aquino had received the blessing of her mother, former president Corazon Aquino, to run in next year's polls.

Voters are the ones who can decide if Kris deserves to win and be able to serve the people, not the critics who only protect their own interests, the senator pointed out.

Estrada like his father, former President Joseph Estrada, are movie actors. Both of them make San Juan a progressive municipality in Metro Manila.

The elder Estrada was a former mayor, senator, vice president and president while the young Estrada was a former vice mayor, mayor and senator.