MANILA -- While others will be busy spending their Valentine’s Day with their loved ones, candidates of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) led by standard bearer former president Joseph Estrada will be spending the day in a meeting with religious leaders in Mindanao.
In a statement, Estrada said he will spend the Valentine’s Day with a luncheon meeting with bishops of the Philippine Evangelical Network in Cagayan De Oro. In the afternoon, he will attend the 25th anniversary celebration of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City.
"Instead of spending Valentines Day in a romantic manner I will focus on love of God and love of country," Estrada said.
This is the second visit of Estrada, who is running for president, to Quiboloy. The first visit was last January 26.
Estrada is accompanied by his son, Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
Other senatoriables who are joining Estrada are Agusan Del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza , former Sanlakas Rep. JV Bautista, former Negros Rep. Apolinario “Jun” Lozada, former Court of Appeals Justice Regalado Maambong and former Senator Kit Tatad.
After attending the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Celebrations, Estrada’s will proceed to the PMP proclamation rally in Rizal Park in Davao City scheduled at 7 p.m. where thousands are expected to attend.
Quiboloy along with other religious leaders are being assiduously courted by politicians because of their influence to their respective flocks.
Quiboloy is among the most influential religious figure in the country being the owner of Sunshine radio network.
Last week, former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro also paid a visit to Quiboloy though the latter clarified he is not endorsing the candidacy of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer.
Meanwhile, Nacionalista Party (NP) standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar and his running mate, Senator Loren Legarda was in Hong Kong Sunday meeting with influential Catholic lay leaders led by El Shaddai’s Mariano “Bro. Mike” Velarde.
Earlier, Estrada’s camp said they remained unfazed by his third place showing in opinion polls behind Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Villar adding that the warm reception they received in areas they visited are more than enough proof of his popularity with the public, especially the masses.
United Opposition (UNO) campaign manager, former Senator and ambassador Ernesto Maceda downplayed the survey results as he cited the reception given by the public to Estrada in the more than 100 trips dubbed “Lakbay Pasasalamat” for the past two years since he was released from detention at his Tanay estate following his conviction for plunder and the subsequent pardon granted by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“He (Estrada) continues to enjoy wide popular support from the people, especially the poor, which as we all know truly loves him,” Maceda said adding that “the country was better off during his term.”
Estrada short-lived presidency was cut short by the military-backed civilian uprising in 2001.
He said they expect Estrada's ratings to go up with the start of the official campaign season adding that they are busy consolidating their mass base.
"The thing for us to do is continue what we are doing and maintain our mass base. We have accepted the fact that the so-called A-B class votes, very few of them will go to us, so we are depending on the D-E class votes to come to us," he further explained.