Sunday, May 11, 2008 Estrada blames Arroyo for rice shortage By Richel Umel
ILIGAN CITY -- Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on Friday blamed the Arroyo administration for the rice crisis that continues to hound Filipinos.
In a speech delivered before a crowd of 3,000 Iliganons, Estrada said that sufficient budget was allotted for agriculture during his term and that it made Mindanao the food basket of southern Philippines.
He also said that Malacanang now supports Luzon and Visayas but not Mindanao.
Estrada said during his time, there was no economic crisis and there was ample supply of rice.
Under the Arroyo administration, he said, the country now imports rice.
He also reminded the audience that 48 camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao were destroyed when he declared an all-out war on March 17, 2000 in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.
Estada lamented that those destroyed MILF camps have been resurrected during the Arroyo administration.
"There should only be one Armed Forces of the Philippines, one constitution, and one Filipino nation," Estrada said.
"Economic stability could only be achieved if real peace will be attained," he added.
Asked about his plans for 2010, Estrada told reporters that he visited Iligan to unify the opposition in Mindanao.
Estrada also lauded the voters in the first district of Lanao del Norte for installing Congressman Vicente Belmonte, saying he fought for the truth against his political rivals in the last May 2007 election.
With Estrada were Cagayan de Oro Vice Mayor Vicente Emano, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito Estrada, and former senator Ernesto Maceda.
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