'I will defend jueteng even to my last breath. Bakit double standard ang justice? Pag sugal ng mayaman tulad ng casino, karera, sabong, lotto ay legal. Pag sugal ng mahirap illegal.' (photo by RUDY LIWANAG)

For someone who has announced that he has retired from active politics and showbusiness, former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada is a very, very busy man.

For instance, on the day that we visited his San Juan home for this interview, the man we all call Erap was receiving guests, conferring on some issues with his staff, talking on the phone, barking orders, and hosting a sumptuous lunch for us. He says he got up a little late because the howling winds of Typhoon Basyang had kept him awake almost all night.

But amid the activities, the atmosphere in the Estrada home remains calm and quiet, none of the 24/7, harried beat typical of a politician’s quarters. Could things be really winding down for Erap?

“I consider everything that has been given to me as blessings. I am probably the luckiest person, having been given the opportunity to become a superstar, a mayor, a senator, a Vice President, a President, and even a prisoner,’’ says the 73 year-old Erap introspectively.

Indeed, he’s been to heaven and hell and back and around, having experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in politics. He reached the presidency even as he was tried, prosecuted, and jailed for six years for the crime of plunder. Yet when he ran during the May elections, Erap placed second, next only to President Noynoy Aquino. Life has really been good to him, he affirms, and he just wants to continue serving the masses who made him what he is today.

In the meantime, Erap is already outlining in his mind his memoirs that he would be writing soon. The first part, he jests, will surely be about his colorful life and loves. The rest will be about his presidency and EDSA Dos, which he describes as a dark mark on Philippine democracy, and probably on his personal life. Hopefully out by yearend, the book will also be a way for the Filipino youth to know him better and understand what Erap is all about.

In this 90-minute interview with the superstar President this country has had, Joseph Ejercito Estrada made us laugh (‘’Cosmetic surgery? Ano ba ‘yun? Alam mo ‘yung mga ‘yun, mga ‘pious’ living ‘yun. Paayus nang paayus); think (‘’Maybe you can minimize corruption but not totally eradicate corruption.’’) agree with him (Pag sugal ng mahirap, illegal. Pag sugal ng mayaman, legal. Eh bakit ang jueteng ayaw nila i-legalize?); and just simply find out more about the heart of this former President who now takes pride in being called Citizen Erap. (Ivy Lisa Mendoza)

STUDENTS AND CAMPUSES BULLETIN (SCB): Today’s young people only know you because you ran in the last elections, or from what they have heard about EDSA Dos. How do you want this new generation to know you?

JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA (JEE): That’s why I’m going to start writing my memoirs.

What happened at EDSA Dos was really a dark mark on Philippine democracy. Even the well-respected Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore said that the change of power in the Philippines was no good for democracy because it was done outside of the Constitution. Even the chairman of the 1987 Constitution Commission Cecilia Munoz-Palma, a well-respected lady justice of the Supreme Court, said that when the impeachment trial of President Estrada was unceremoniously disrupted and discontinued, and the issues were brought to the parliament of the street, the rule of law was set aside and the rule of force prevailed.

I never stopped or talked to any senior congressman. My impeachment passed through the Congress and Senate. I didn’t stop it because I was ready to defend myself. What happened? The prosecution presented all their witnesses but when it was my time to defend myself, they made the second envelope a big issue – and they walked out. All these so-called elitists, these burgis, they were up against me, with the help of the Church, they put up this EDSA Dos.

SCB: Do you think the media was unkind to you?

JEE: I would say yes because most of the media are owned by the elitists. They all turned against me.

SCB: But you were the President. You could have controlled the media. Why didn’t you?

JEE: In a democracy, there has to be freedom of the press.

SCB: Will a large part of your memoir focus on EDSA Dos?

JEE: Yes, it has to be, it’s part of history. I was removed unconstitutionally and illegally. Imagine, she got into the Supreme Court, she had them swear her in. Then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo became President when there was no vacancy! I was still the President, I had not resigned. That’s illegal.

When I stepped down, GMA had her Justice Secretary Hernando Perez talk to me and offered twice for me to leave the country, go to the country of my choice, bring anything I want to, and there would be no charges filed against me – all on the condition that I retire as the President of the Philippines in writing. So that means that they really had an illegal President. They were already there in Malacañang and yet they were offering me to resign in writing. Twice I was offered and twice I turned it down. I told them hindi ko matatanggap iyan. Unang-una, wala akong kasalanan. Pangalawa, hindi ko maiiwan ang milyung-milyung masang Pilipino na bumoto at nagtiwala sa akin.

Kahit ikulong niyo ako hindi ako natatakot. Ikinulong nga ako (laughs)!

SCB: What realizations did you have when you were in jail?

JEE: I comforted myself in the fact that even among Jesus’ 12 disciples, merong naging Hudas. Eh dito ang daming Hudas! (laughs). I just tell myself that the truth will come out in the end.

SCB: May galit po ba sa puso ninyo?

JEE: During the first three months, but later on I mellowed. I read books. I came across a book by Mahatma Gandhi, “The Birthday Miracle”. I saw that his motto was “The weak cannot forgive, but forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” I am God-fearing. I always pray the Our Father everyday, and in the Our Father, we say “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

SCB: Do you think that the youth will now be able to understand you through your memoirs?

JEE: It’s up to them, as long as I’m telling the truth. All that is there is 100 percent truth. It’s up to them to believe it or not. I don’t need to campaign for them to believe.

SCB: When will you launch it?

JEE: Hopefully by the end of the year. I haven’t started it. I may start writing next month. There are a lot of chapters. I’ll start first with the Erap Presidency. O kaya The Life and Loves of Erap (laughs).

SCB: Are you anti-rich?

JEE: I am not anti-rich, I am pro-Filipino. But in the Bible it says, “What you give to the least of my brethren, you give unto me.” Being pro-poor does not mean you are anti-rich. You may be rich but you can help the poor. I am not poor. I studied in the Ateneo. I had 10 brothers and sisters who studied in first class schools, all at the same time. But I don’t know, it’s in my mind. I prefer to be with the poor and help them.

SCB: How were you raised? Did your brothers and sisters have the sameheart for the poor?

JEE: My mother was a very strict disciplinarian. But during my younger days I was always with the kanto boys. We had the biggest house where we lived, but I would always hang around with kanto boys, with squatters sa tapat ng bahay namin.

SCB: Paano kayo nakalusot sa Nanay mo?

JEE: Kaya nga galit na galit. Natatanggal na tenga ko sa kaka-pingot. Drum drum na puny*ta ang tinanggap ko sa kaniya, kinukulong pa ako sa sako. Wala pang child abuse noon (laughs)! Noong araw uso ‘yung Angelus. Kung hindi ako late, absent. Lahat ng pingot, inabot ko.

My father was a very religious man who went to church on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. He prays one hour before breakfast and one hour before he sleeps. Kapag pinapagalitan ako ng Mama ko, sinasabihan ako “Puny***a ka, ‘yung dinadasal ng tatay mo dalawang oras isang araw, ‘yung isang oras at kalahati para sa iyo lang!” (laughs)

SCB: Ikaw lang ginaganon sa magkakapatid?

JEE: Oo. Black sheep daw ako eh (laughs)!

SCB: Why did you prefer to be with the kanto boys? Baka naman dahil kayo ang pinaka-guwapo sa kanila...

JEE: Hindi! That time, hindi ako guwapo (laughs)! Lagi akong marumi. I just felt at ease with them playing basketball or boxing.

SCB: Pero iba po kasi ‘yung kanto boy dati sa kanto boy ngayon. Would you allow your grandchildren to do what you did?

JEE: They’re allowed to go with anybody. Just because gusgusin ‘yung mga batang iba, unfair ‘yun.

SCB: What did you learn from that phase of your life?

JEE: Maybe it was destiny because I wanted to take up Law, but I had two other brothers who took up Law, so hindi na ako nakakakuha ng Law. Ang kinuha ko Engineering, and I was very poor in Math. When I was in third year, the movies accidentally discovered me, nag-drop out na ako.

When I was in the movies, it was an uphill battle. Ang uso noong araw, mga mestizo, sila Bernard Bonnin, Eddie Gutierrez, Zaldy Zhornack, Fernando Poe, lahat ‘yun. Ako lang ‘yung Pinoy na Pinoy, diretso buhok. Nobody gave me a chance to be a superstar.

SCB: How did you become a superstar?

JEE: Destiny ‘yan. I made over a 100 movies, and in 99 percent, I played the role of a marginalized person. I was a squatter, a jeepney driver, a labor leader, an NPA, lahat ‘yun. I was with them. I saw their feelings kapag may shooting ako, sa squatters area, tinatanong ko mga problema nila. Kapag farmers, nasa Pampanga, kinakausap ko ‘yung mga farmers, kung ano problema nila sa land reform. I had to absorb all this para when I face the camera, I am really the farmer, I am really the labor leader.

SCB: Then you realized na guwapo pala kayo?

JEE: Nung maraming nagkaka-crush sa akin. P**a, kissable pala ako (laughs)!

Pushed to politics

SCB: Why did you go into politics?

JEE: It was the Church. We lived only a house away from the church. Sakristan ako, naka-sutana pa kami, red and white.

SCB: Pinilit ka ba ng nanay mo?

JEE: My mother never liked me. Lahat ng gawin ko, ayaw niya. Nung nag-artista ako, ayaw na ayaw niya. Umuwi ako dati, naka make-up pa ako, pagdating ko, sabi ng nanay ko, “Huwag na huwag mong magamit ang apelyidong Ejercito. Itong mga kapatid mo, ikinahihiya ka namin.” Akala ko they would be happy, pero nilait pa nila ako.

SCB: Were you doing lead roles already at that time?

JEE: Hindi pa, bit player pa lang. Sa sama ng loob ko, I answered back. Sabi ko, “Ma, hindi ko ginagamit ang apelyido mo, apelyido ni Papa ang ginagamit ko. Mas may karapatan akong gumamit ng apelyido ni Papa kaysa sa iyo. Ejercito ako, ang dugong Ejercito nasa katawan ko, ikaw asawa ka lang ng Papa ko.’ I was about 18 or 19.

SCB: What was your mother’s reaction?

JEE: Binato ako ng isang bandehadong kanin! Lumayas ako. I ran away from home.

SCB: Did they look for you?

JEE: No. ‘Yung father ko, after three months, sinundo ako.

SCB: Saan kayo tumuloy?

JEE: With my gangmate. Sa Fort Bonifacio. Fort William McKinley pa ang pangalan noon.

SCB: How did you patch up with your mother?

JEE: My father talked to me. ‘Iisa lang ang ina mo. Kailangan mahalin mo kahit na pinagagalitan ka, para sa iyo ‘yan. I apologized to her. Inisnab niya ko eh.

SCB: Kailan pa naging talagang magkasundo na talaga kayo?

JEE: Ayaw niya ko pag-artistahin pero hindi ko naman siya sinunod. Nung sikat na akong artista, I was already a superstar, dito sa San Juan, magulo. Ang parish priest namin, si Monsignor Casimiro Alvarez. Karamihan sa mga pulis dito Iglesia ni Cristo. So itong parish priest thought of me to run for mayor. I was at La Mesa dam shooting a movie and he went to me five times. Five times I rejected his idea. Ang suweldo ng mayor P5,000 a month, eh I was already receiving P100,000 per picture. Minsan I made two pictures a month pa.

On the sixth time that he went to me, napapayag na ako.

SCB: What did your mother say?

JEE: Nagalit na naman ‘yung Mama ko. Iboboto ko ‘yung kalaban mo! Ano bang gagawin mo? Napakasama ng pulitika, gusto mong magdildil ng asin diyan? Kung anu-anong sasabihin sa iyo diyan. Huwag kang pumasok diyan! Hindi ko rin siya sinunod. Kung sinunod ko siya na huwag akong mag-artista, eh di hindi ako sisikat na artista. Kung sinunod ko siya na huwag pumasok sa pulitika, eh di hindi ako naging presidente di ba?

Kaya nung nag-oath of office ako as President sa Barasoain Church, siyempre siya ‘yung unang aakapin ko. I told her, ‘Ma, nadinig ‘yung dasal ni Pa.’ And she said ‘Buti alam mo!’ (laughs)

Of Mindanao, the Church – and jueteng

SCB: You said you are not anti-rich but pro-poor. How do you balance the needs of big businesses with those of the needs of the poor?

JEE: Bakit ko babalansihin eh marami na nga sila. Ang inasikaso ko was to uplift the life of the poor. Why should I think about them? I just want them to pay the right taxes because it goes to the budget for the poor. I need the businessmen for the general economic growth. Nagalit nga sa akin 'yung mga mayayaman dahil inalis ko 'yung mga unscrupulous government contracts with government guarantee. Dun madaming corruption kaya nagalit sa akin mga big contractors.

SCB: With the pronouncement of President Noynoy na “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,’’ naniniwala po ba kayo na matatanggal ang corruption?

JEE: We’re only a Third World country, even First World countries have corruption.

SCB: So do you think he’s shooting for the stars?

JEE: Maybe you can minimize corruption but not totally eradicate corruption.

SCB: For many years now, you are pusing for the legalization of jueteng…

JEE: Oo, kasi ‘yung casino, legal. Karera, pangalan pa ng santo, Santa Ana, San Lazaro. Cockfighting, legal din, by the millions yun. Pag sugal ng mahirap, illegal. Pag sugal ng mayaman, legal. 'Yung Lotto, it’s a foreign game, nagbabayad pa tayo ng franchise sa Malaysian group. Eh bakit ang jueteng ayaw nila i-legalize?

SCB: Jueteng was instrumental in your ouster – and still you are defending jueteng?

JEE: I will defend that even to my last breath. Bakit nga double standard ang justice? Now I’ll tell you why, because I told you, I play the role of the marginalized. I talked to these people. Hindi napag-aaralan sa Harvard ito eh.

When I became mayor, on my third day in office, I ordered the chief of police to arrest all jueteng kubrador, kabo. About 60 of them were arrested. Kinabukasan, standing room sa Office of the Mayor, 'yung mga asawa at anak nila. ‘Mayor binoto pa naman namin kayo pagkatapos kukulungin niyo 'yung mga asawa namin. Paano naman po 'yung mga anak namin.’ I was 31 years old. Sabi ko, ‘Hindi porket ako binoto niyo, puwede na yung illegal. Hindi puwede 'yun. ‘Eh mayor buti pa kayo, mayor na kayo artista pa kayo. Eh papano na kami. Kayo may mga anak, matitiis niyo ba na magutom yung mga anak namin? Wala kaming hanapbuhay kundi 'yun. Kahit na anong trabaho bigay niyo sa asawa namin kahit isang basurero tatanggapin namin makatawid lang sa gutom.

Animnapu sila, lilima lang yung truck ng basura ko, paano ‘yun. Tapos may mga basurero, pano ko sila bibigyan ng trabaho? So it’s a social problem. A hungry stomach knows no law. Saan pupunta 'yung mga asawa, magnanakaw, akyat bahay, manghoholdap, drugs? Siyempre I felt what they feel. This is the solution to help poor people.

SCB: With the present administration, will you crusade for the legalization of jueteng?

JEE: Oo. My first privilege speech in the Senate when I became a Senator, was to legalize jueteng. Kung makakausap ako ni Noynoy, ipaliliwanag ko. Sige tanggalin niyo 'yung jueteng, I’m for it, provided you get an alternative job for the people. Eh siguradong inaasahan nilang pambili ng pagkain 'yun eh. Alisin mo, hindi mo naman maipasok sa trabaho,wala kang maibigay na trabaho, saan pupunta mga tao? Pati church law makakalimutan ko na! Let’s be realistic. ‘Yung mga pari kasi sigurado makakain ng tatlong beses isang araw.

SCB: What do you advise President Noynoy, especially that some of the laws that they want to push are being frowned upon by the Church?

JEE: He should be firm in his decision. As President, when you decide, however hard the decision may be, you still have to decide. When I was President maraming conflicting views. But the bottomline was I decided for the greater good, for the greater number. Ganon ako.

I incurred the ire of Cardinal Sin when I ordered the all-out war against the MILF. Inutusan niya si Cardinal Vidal and Bishop Quevedo who was then the CBCP president na pumunta sa akin and asked me to call for a ceasefire. They said “You, the father of the nation must not allow

will be given national exposure. The amiable principal, Marietta Gorgonio, heaved a sigh of relief that her wards are being recognized for exemplary media and communication work, and not just for their singing and dancing skills.

The announcement has thrilled the twenty four Camotes Island graduates that they are already in the thick of preparations for short documentaries on bio-diversity and coastal resources management. A former trainee of Anak TV, now their constant guide and youth mentor, Arabella Barcenas, is shepherding them lest they impulsively conceptualize difficult and costly video projects.

Next week, a major recital is being scheduled by Plan Philippines in Liloan, a South Leyte town closer to Surigao than it is to the region’s main airport, Tacloban. There, in the presence of local officials, educators and invited media, twenty six Leyteno youth will show their wares and prove once again, that young Filipinos, given the impetus and showered with faith in their abilities, can set their radars on social problems that affect them and their communities, communicate these visually and literarily for all to understand and eventually seek solutions for. Filipinos to kill each other.’’

Sabi ko kay Cardinal Vidal, with due respect, before we continue this discussion, may I show you first a videotape that I was able to get during the encounters with the MILF? Those videotapes showed ‘yung sundalo natin na captive ng MILF. Pinaluhod ang sundalo and was ordered to pray. Nagdadasal yung sundalo ng Our Father. In the middle of the prayer, tinanggalan ng leeg! It was on video! Next scene, tatlong teachers nakidnap tsaka si Fr. Gallardo. ‘Yung tatlong teacher ni-rape sa harapan ng pari, nagwawala ang pari, ginapos siya at tinorture. After that, sinunog ‘yung eskuwelahan, anim na bata na lechon.

Tahimik lang sila. Tapos bumalik kami sa lamesa. “We still believe Mr. President that you should continue to call for a ceasefire and continue the peace talks.’’ I said: “With all due respect, your Eminence, I believe that Cardinal Sin as head of the church and myself as President, both of us want peace. The only difference is Cardinal Sin only wants peace temporarily. But these terrorist acts of the MILF have been going on for more than 30 years. As President I want lasting peace and nobody can stop me now. I am answerable only to the people who elected me.’’ They said: “In that case, we have nothing to talk about Mr. President.’’ I was able to overrun all the 46 camps of the MILF and restored peace in Mindanao.

SCB: Does that mean that peace in Mindanao is achievable?

JEE: As long as you are decisive. How many thousands were displaced? Sinusunog ‘yung mga bayan. How many women were raped? How many soldiers were killed and beheaded for more than 30 years? What kind of government do we have? A weak government that cannot impose its own laws in its own land? Hindi puwede ‘yun. Kita mo, this last elections I got the biggest vote in Mindanao. Gusto nila. They’re tired of what’s happening to them.

SCB: What if President Noynoy invites you to join his government?

JEE: I cannot accept any position lower than the presidency. That’s a demotion. Hindi naman ako si Davide. That’s demeaning to the Office of the President.

SCB: What was most memorable for you about the last elections?

JEE: It would be that it was my first ever defeat in my political career.

SCB: You are the epitome of the Pinoy macho man. You have reached the top of both your acting and political careers. Where are you more fulfilled?

JEE: Ang frustration ko was that I was not able to reciprocate what the poor people have done for me. That’s why I ran during the last elections, to continue what I started.

You feel for the poor, hindi napapag-aralan sa Harvard 'yan. You have to experience it. Sa mga barangay, anong mga problema niyo? Mayor sa inyo ho wala, sa simbahan meron. Bakit? Papaano ho maraming patay kapag dadalhin mo sa simbahan dinadala sa isang sulok. Ang dilim, hindi binubuksan ang ilaw. Kapag mayaman, pitong pari ang nagmi-misa, bukas lahat ng ilaw. Ba’t naman ganun. Kung bibinyagan ‘yung anak ng mga mayayaman, halos madurog na ‘yung kampana sa lakas. Kapag anak ko na ‘yung bibinyagan, wala akong kampana at saka hindi binubukas ‘yung ilaw. Masyado naman ho kaming api. Kaya nung minsan itong kumpare ko, nung bininyagan ‘yung anak, may kumpare siyang sorbetero, yung sorbetero nagkakampana rin (laughs).

SCB: (Laughs) True story ba ‘yan?

JEE: Oo! Ayaw mong maniwala? (laughs) Kasi ‘yung sorbetero squatter din.

SCB: Do you still go to church?

JEE: Oo. I’m still a Catholic. My father was a very religious man. But I’m a protesting Catholic! (laughs)

SCB: You are also known for your love for food, what’s your favorite food?

JEE: Because my mother was into culinary arts. She even baked the wedding cake of Vicky Quirino, the then First Lady. ‘Yung Hizon’s, siya ang nagturo dun ng ensaymada.

SCB: So lumaki kayo na bountiful ang pagkain sa lamesa?

JEE: Hindi naman, just right. Basta every Sunday, may pochero. Wala nang ibang babae na kamukha ng mama ko. Ang mama ko, nag-aral ng culinary arts, sa Conservatory of Music. Magluluto siya sampu kami, sabay-sabay, pag gabi sabay-sabay kami kumain. Pagkatapos magluto, kumain, pupunta na ‘yan sa piano, kakanta na. Siya ‘yung through and through na ideal housewife. Ang ganda pa ng boses. Kaya sampu kami. (laughs) ‘Yun papa ko, one woman man. Kaya sampu kami. (laughs)

SCB: Did you learn how to cook from her?

JEE: Konti. Bacalao, my favorite.

SCB: Do you play the piano?

JEE: No. Namana ko sa mama ko ng konti ‘yung pagkanta. Kaya lang ‘yung kanta walang hilig sa akin.

SCB: Do you have any gadgets?

JEE: Cellphone lang. Nahihirapan pa nga ako mag-text.

SCB: Nag-eemail po ba kayo?

JEE: Hindi nga eh. Marami naman akong secretary na tiga-gawa. (laughs)

SCB: As a father, strict kayo?

JEE: Oh yes. Pinaka-ayaw ko ‘yung mga sinungaling. When I entered showbiz, my father heard about my involvement with women. Sabi niya sa akin, kinausap ako, man-to-man. Joseph, ‘yang napasok mo na karera, maraming temptasyon diyan. You’re old enough. Kung hindi ka maaawat, alalahanin mo lang ang sasabihin ko sa’yo, ‘yung child born out of wedlock, that’s your responsibility. Ejercito ang nasa ugat niyan, ang nasa dugo niyan. So I have children born out of wedlock. Lahat ‘yan, they studied in the best schools.

‘Yung isang anak ko nasa London, 2nd honor siya nung nag-graduate. I don’t turn my back away from responsibility.

SCB: You’ve done almost everything, do you still have fears or dreams sa buhay?

JEE: Ang dream ko lang is for Filipinos to have their sense of nationalism back. Even at a tender age, they should be taught the three virtues, love of God, love of country, love of family. But along the way, nawala ang love of country. Look at where our country is today. Nawala eh. Di tulad ng mga ‘yung mga Koreano, ‘yung mga housewife dadalhin ‘yung mga jewelry to help the country. Dito itinatakbo ‘yun. (laughs) Ibabaon pa ‘yun.

SCB: What do you miss the most about being president?

JEE: As a movie actor you’re always with the people everyday. Mayor, senator, you’re always with a crowd. Busy lagi. Now I’m all alone. Kung wala kayo eh di nag-iisa lang ako dito (laughs).

SCB: As a person, what do you think are your weaknesses and strengths?

JEE: Siguro weakness ko kapag ako naiyakan, I cannot say no.

SCB: Now we know…

JEE: ‘Yung legitimate ha? Hindi ‘yung fake. (laughs)

SCB: What about your strengths?

JEE: I was decisive as a leader. Si Cardinal Sin, pati ‘yung mga mayayaman, meron silang petition na itaas ang tubig by 80 percent, hindi ako pumayag. My slogan is “Erap Para sa Mahirap.’’ If I approved the increase, they might change it to “Erap Pampahirap. ’’ In my two-and-a-half years as president, tubig at kuryente, hindi nagtaas. That’s all documented. Because I said so.

SCB: Are you afraid of old age?

JEE: Hindi naman. I want to grow old gracefully.

SCB: ‘Yung hair niyo po totoo?

JEE: Kung gusto mo hawakan mo? Hilahin mo nga. (tells staff to pull it)

SCB: Do you dye your hair?

JEE: Hindi.

SCB: What’s your take on cosmetic surgery?

JEE: Wala. Ano ba ‘yun? Alam mo ‘yung mga ‘yun, mga ‘pious’ living ‘yun. Paayus nang paayus. (laughs)

SCB: (laughs) Are you hurt by Erap jokes?

JEE: Maganda nga ‘yun, may recall ang pangalan ko.

SCB: Do you have a favorite Erap joke?

JEE: Wala. Marami akong favorite eh.

SCB: What’s the story behind the wristband?

JEE: It was from an accident during a shooting. I was playing the role of a guerilla. Dumulas ang samurai at tumama sa kamay ko kaya nagkaroon ng scar. Kaya ‘yung mga gustong makakita ng scar, I tell them dapat maging girlfriend kita bago mo makita (laughs).

SCB: You made a pronouncement that surprised everyone. You said you were gonna retire from politics. Did you mean it? And when you said retire, what do you actually mean?

JEE: Out. I will just be Citizen Erap. I’m going to tie-up with Tony Meloto para makatulong ako.

SCB: What do you do now in your free time?

JEE: I’m trying to make a living. Sa real estate, small time lang. Noong araw apartment, ngayon town houses na ang tawag. Parang build and sell, so I can also generate jobs for the laborers. Kung kikita ako, maitutulong ko sa mga calamity.

SCB: We’ve heard so many things about you, both good and bad. But most of these people also say you are a good, loyal friend…

JEE: Kasi transparent ako. Pag ayaw kita sasabihin ko sa iyo ayaw kita. Pag gusto kita I’m willing to help all the way. Hindi ako traydor eh.

SCB: Were you hurt when ‘friends’ defected during Edsa dos?

JEE: Ah oo.

SCB: Have you forgiven them?

JEE: Yeah. Sabi ni Lord at ni Mahatma Gandhi, the weak can’t forgive but forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Do you pray Ama Namin? It says “Patawarin mo kami sa aming pagkakasala. Ipagpatawad namin sa mga nagkakasala sa amin.’’ Aba’y do it in practice! Para kayong recite lang ng recite ng poem?

SCB: Do you forgive and forget?

JEE: Well, I can forgive yung kasalanan mo sa akin. Pero yung kasalanan mo sa taong bayan, bahala ka managot.

SCB: Did you feel vindicated when anomalies involving GMA began to come out?

JEE: Even before. At the height of the demolition job against me, I asked my wife, Dr. Loi, to run for the Senate. Of course, she refused, she’s not a politician, she’d rather do a medical mission for the poor. But I told her that she had to run because I had to know if I still had the confidence of the people, especially the masses. So she ran, and she won. That was a consolation on my part, that the people didn’t believe all these charges against me. And then Jinggoy, who was my co-accused, pinatakbo ko rin, Jinggoy won.

SCB: Is that how you felt during the last elections?

JEE: Of course. Why do you think I ran? If Cory hadn’t died I would have been the President. (laughs)

SCB: Do you want to see GMA in jail?

JEE: Diyos na ang bahala diyan.