Was it a case of conflicting schedules or a snub?

Explaining his absence at an Inquirer-sponsored debate of presidential candidates at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, deposed President Joseph “Erap” Estrada said he had to meet a delegation of political leaders from Mindanao Monday morning.

Present were Senators Benigno Aquino III, Manuel Villar, Richard Gordon and Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas and Councilor JC de los Reyes.

Estrada said he wanted to attend the UP forum but had to receive the delegation composed of more than 100 political leaders from Lanao del Sur and Cotabato.

But his handlers had a different reason for Estrada’s nonappearance.

‘Biased against Erap’

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