Erap denies he's withdrawing from the presidential race

Former president Joseph Estrada denied that he is withdrawing from the presidential race. Estrada told reporters today that he is definitely pursuing his  presidential ambitions no matter what.

Estrada said that rumours or talks about his impending withdrawal from the race are just unfounded ones meant to cast aspersion to his campaign.

Estrada is determined to bring himself back to the palace as a sign of gratitude to the masses who elected him in 1998.

Estrada said these talks are part of the black propaganda purposedly sown by Manny Villar's camp.

Close Estrada confidante former senator Ernesto Maceda said there are no on-going talks happening between the PMP-UNO camp and that of the Nacionalista or the Liberal parties.

Maceda said Erap remains as a strong contender, placing third among the ten presidentiables.

Erap won hands down with 40% of the votes in the 1998 elections. His term was cut short when the middle class and the elites conspired against him. After spending years in jail and house arrest, Estrada was freed by Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He just filed his certificate of candidacy and some quarters already filed disqualification cases against him. As far as the Comelec and the Supreme Court are concerned, Estrada is still included in the list of presidentiables, pending the resolution of those cases.