Former President Joseph Estrada expressed confidence Saturday that the widespread exodus of pro-administration stalwarts to benefit the political opposition will go full swing after the Nov. 30 deadline of the filing of certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), an event which will allow their names to become public record.

Mass defections of political luminaries, Estrada said, is a natural occurrence in Philippine politics since the country earned its independence that opened the doors for Filipinos to exercise their right of suffrage.

The statement of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard bearer came about after he had sworn-in several political figures allied with the administration, as well as a host of others who had previously been reported to support other presidential campaigns other than Estrada’s.

Realignment of political forces, according to Estrada, is nothing new in Philippine politics, an occurrence that happens months before Election Day, which he described as an ingredient that adds more zest to the political spectrum.

In fact, he cited administration presidential candidate Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. as having admitted mass defections from the administration ranks to other political parties.

On the departure of former administration allies, Teodoro was quoted to have admitted that such a move is normal in Philippine politics.

Even after Estrada had sworn-in the new members of his party, he refused to identify them “as a sign of respect, but will do so at the proper time.”

But, after the Comelec Nov. 30 deadline, Estrada said, the realignment of political parties and the flight of top names from the administration ranks “will become the order of the day.”