PNS — The so- called “charisma” to the masses of former President Joseph Estrada remained strong during his first provincial campaign sortie here as the deposed president and his party were warmly greeted by thousands of residents during a motorcade in the towns of Pangasinan.
“As usual, just like in 1998, they (the people) have not changed, the reception was really overwhelming,” said Estrada during an ambush interview after his short message in front of some 500 college students at the gymnasium of Urdaneta City University.
Estrada along with Makati Mayor and vice presidential bet Jejomar Binay arrived from a private chopper at the said university and warmly welcomed by school officials and students before they proceeded to the motorcade.
“Na-miss ko ’to,” Estrada said, referring to the crowd cheering his name while he passed by on them.
Estrada also maintained that he believed that his “God-given” charisma has not die, dispelling his recent poor showings in several surveys.
“Nothing has changed that’s why I’m surprise about the result of the surveys dahil on the grounds, the people have not changed and the reception is very warm,” Estrada noted.
“God-given ’yan. Hindi naman ako masyadong gwapo. Inaamin ko mas gwapo sa kin si Fernando Poe Jr.,” he added, referring to his best friend.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, son of the former president and also an actor like his father, was obviously also has the “charisma” to the public especially on students.
“Nakakatuwa ’yung pagtanggap nila,” the younger Estrada said.
For his part, former Sen. Franciso “Kit” Tatad, who is also running in the Senate, also said that the reception of the people in Pangasinan has been “phenomenal.”
“Whether you’re talking of young people, farmers, professionals, incredible…. You have to be there to see what is happening,” Tatad stressed.
Apart from Jinggoy, also present during the motorcade where reelectionist Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, and ZTE-NBN witness Joey de Venecia.
Estrada’s party, the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) passed thru Manaoag, Mangaldan, San Jacinto, Sta. Barbara, Calasiao, Putohan, San Carlos City, Bayambang and Malisiqui.