Garcia, Payumo set aside differences to welcome Erap

By JOSE RODEL CLAPANO - The Philippine Star With Raffy Viray

BALANGA, Bataan – Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia and his political nemesis, former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Felicito Payumo, set aside Wednesday their political differences and jointly welcomed pardoned former President Joseph Estrada who visited the province as part of his Lakbay Pasasalamat.

Garcia and Payumo, who belong to the administration Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and the Liberal Party, respectively, have been at odds as they battle for political supremacy in the province.

Only three clans – the Garcias, Payumos and Romans – have ruled Bataan since the 1970s.
In a press conference, Garcia said he is duty-bound to set aside his political differences with Payumo to bring economic progress to Bataan.

"As the saying goes, the elections are only one day. After the elections, the contending political parties must forget their differences and unite for the betterment of our province and bring progress to the people. We need to unite to make our province move forward," Garcia said.

As governor, Garcia said he is also duty-bound to welcome a former president like Estrada.
"It demands that. As a governor, I must personally receive and welcome a visiting former president and dignitaries who want to visit Bataan," he said.

In an interview with The STAR, Garcia admitted that Estrada, titular head of the opposition, has strongly influenced him to join his campaign for unity not only in the province, but also all over the country.

Speaking before a cheering crowd in Dinalupihan town, Estrada said he and his bosom buddy, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., owed their popularity to the poor Filipinos.

Aside from Dinalupihan, Estrada also visited Orani town and the cities of Mariveles and Balanga where he was also warmly welcomed. Senate President Manuel Villar Jr., president of the Nationalista Party (NP) and a native of Orani town, accompanied Estrada during his visit.

Villar admitted that he regrets that Estrada was not able to finish his term, preventing him from carrying out his pro-poor programs.

However, Villar blamed the Senate for its failure to render its judgment on the impeachment case against Estrada following the prosecutors' walkout.

"It's very clear that President Estrada's term was cut short," he said.

Villar clarified that the House of Representatives, where he was then the Speaker, merely endorsed the impeachment case against Estrada. "The impeachment is one process. It does not mean that the president is guilty," he said.

The crowds in Dinalupihan, Orani, Balanga and Mariveles cheered every time Estrada cracked jokes. They clapped when Estrada declared that of all the women that he has loved, the only one whom he married was his wife, former Senator Loi Ejercito.