UNISAN, Quezon – The congressman who hosted a dinner for President Arroyo and her entourage in Washington D.C. last year, this time played host to former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada in his hometown Wednesday.

Lakas-Kampi member, 3rd District Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, alleged to have picked up the $15,000 tab for the dinner in Bobby Van's Steakhouse for President Arroyo and her party when they visited the United States last year welcomed Estrada and the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) senatorial bets, re-electionist Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, lawyer JV Bautista and Jose "Joey" De Venecia III and treated them to a sumptuous lunch in his mansion here.

Among the dishes served was Estrada's favorite lechon, sugpo, crabs, kilawin and adobo.

Estrada said he and Suarez go a long way to the time when he was still a senator. "We have been friends for more than 20 years when I was still a senator. And I really made it a point to help this province when I was President," Estrada said.

Suarez clarified that he would still carry Lakas-Kampi standard bearer Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro as his candidate for president but he just could not refuse Estrada when he requested that he would drop by at his place after a sortie in Daet, Camarines Norte.

"He (Gibo) understands it. I asked his permission. He (Estrada) is a former President. All this time we've been friends. Even when he's still in Tanay, I always visit him. He gave me the break, a very important part when he was the President. He gave me a very sensitive position, the chairman of the House committee on ways and means," related Suarez who is running unopposed for reelection.

"I have to carry my candidate. But former President Estrada also endorsed my son (Jay-jay Suarez) as PMP candidate for governor as well as myself as congressman. My candidates want to see him. We really cross partylines here when it comes to local politics," Estrada said.

Suarez predicted that Estrada will "get a comfortable vote in the whole province." Quezon has one million voters, according to Suarez.

"When I say comfortable, it's a head on. This much I can say, no one is going to pull away with a big lead in this province," Suarez said referring to a close fight among Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Estrada and Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manny Villar.

"Gibo is the most organized if we talk about machinery, but I can say here in Quezon the LP is the most organized, they have the governor and the two congressmen," he said.