Lim to answer ‘Happy Easterada’ with ‘April Fools Day’ theme

Mayor Alfredo Lim and Joseph Estrada. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Manila’s mayoral candidates are redefining Easter Sunday and April Fool’s Day this year as they start the local campaign rolling on these two days.

Re-electionist Alfredo Lim is to match former president Joseph Estrada’s “Happy Easterada” with an April Fool’s Day campaign on Monday 4 p.m.

Lim’s chief of staff, Ricardo de Guzman, said the date should remind the public not to be fooled by empty promises and pretensions of being pro-poor.

No less than President Benigno Aquino is expected to lead Lim’s proclamation rally at the Bonifacio Shrine beside the City Hall, while actor Cesar Montano, who portrayed Lim in his fourth biopic, will serve as master of ceremonies.

“The mayor will hit the campaign trail in April, in deference to the Holy Week. Palilipasin ng ating alkalde and Biyernes Santo, Sabado de Gloria at maging Easter Sunday dahil panahon ito ng taimtim na pagdarasal at paggunita sa mga paghihirap na dinanas ni Hesus,” De Guzman said.

He said Lim’s ticket will focus on the campaign against graft and corruption and the “matuwid na daan” being espoused by the Aquino administration.

Aside from the local candidates, De Guzman said stalwarts of the Liberal Party and its senatorial candidates will also attend the proclamation rally.

Estrada’s campaign will kick off at Liwasang Bonifacio at 4 p.m. on Sunday.