Erap, Lim set kick-off rallies March 28

Reelectionist Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and rival Alfredo Lim are holding their proclamation rallies on the same afternoon next Monday, March 28, heating up one of the most anticipated local contests in the May 9 elections.

Estrada is expected to announce the presidential candidate he’s endorsing at his 4 p.m. rally at Liwasang Bonifacio, and that this candidate might even join him onstage, according to an aide.

A cast of celebrities is expected to help draw the crowds to the program, where incumbent Manila vice mayor and now senatorial candidate Isko Moreno and allied congressional candidates are also expected to speak.

The Lim camp, meanwhile, said the former mayor who lost to Estrada in the 2013 polls would launch his campaign with an 8 a.m. motorcade starting at Plaza Hernandez on Easter Sunday. The city-wide parade will take him through Districts 1 to 5 in the morning, and 5 to 6 in the afternoon.

With practically just the Quezon Bridge separating him from Estrada’s venue, Lim will have his proclamation rally the next day starting at 6 p.m. at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, according to his chief of staff, Ric de Guzman.