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Atienza makes it clear: I’m not ‘jumping ship’ to join Erap camp

By Jason Faustino

10/22/2009

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza yesterday denied news reports that he had jumped ship and moved to the party of former President Joseph Estrada.

In an interview with The Daily Tribune, Atienza said he had not jumped to the United Opposition (UNO).

“Those reports are not true. It is perhaps just the handiwork of my political opponents or critics,” Atienza added.

He, however, did not deny that there were people asking him to run anew as mayor of Manila, going up against incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim.

“There are many people and groups in Manila asking me to run again as mayor but I have not thought about politics now. I am busy working at the DENR and I have a lot of things to do than jump ship or talk about politics now,” he said.

Asked who he thought was the culprit, Atienza laughed and merely said “it is common knowledge.” He did not elaborate. However, it is of public knowlege that Atienza and Lim are on opposite sides.

According to Atienza, he has stuck with the Liberal Party until now.

“I am still with Liberal Party and I am not UNO. Though there are many trying to mediate between me and former President Estrada, in fairness to the former President he is not imposing on anybody, he is giving everybody the chance to choose where he wants to,” he said.

Reports said Estrada will announce the former Manila mayor is his choice to run for mayor in Manila when the UNO-Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino party declares its proposed candidates for president, vice president and 12 senators.

Estrada, according to the reports, was supposed to make the announcement at the Plaza Ka Amado V. Hernandez in front of the Tondo Catholic Parish Church.

But Atienza also denied this.

“I am not going to be there I wonder who is the Lito Atienza being reported in that paper (not the Daily Tribune),” Atienza said.

Aside from Atienza, a three-term Manila mayor from 1998 to 2007, the party’s other aspirants are the following: Councilor Bonjay Isip-Garcia for Manila vice mayor and the following for congressmen: Councilor Alcoriza (First District of Tondo), Councilor Ivy Varona (Second District of Tondo), Councilor Letlet Zarcal (Third District of Quiapo, Sta. Cruz, Binondo and San Nicolas), former Rep. Ramon Bagatsing Jr. (Fourth District of Ermita, Malate, Port Area, Paco and San Andres), and Rep. Ben Abante Jr. (Sixth District of Sta. Mesa, San Miguel, Pandacan and Sta. Ana).

The mayoralty race in Manila is a three-cornered fight among Atienza, sitting Mayor Alfredo Lim and former presidential adviser on the peace process and former Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon Jr.